Published in:
01-02-2009 | ORIGNAL PAPER
Dilatation of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve disease: a magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors:
Dr. Kurt Debl, MD, Behrus Djavidani, MD, Stefan Buchner, MD, Florian Poschenrieder, MD, Franz-Xaver Schmid, MD, Reinhard Kobuch, MD, Stefan Feuerbach, MD, Günter Riegger, MD, Andreas Luchner, MD
Published in:
Clinical Research in Cardiology
|
Issue 2/2009
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Abstract
Background
Bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) is increasingly recognized as a disease of the entire proximal aorta including both valvular and vascular complications. The aim of our study was to assess the dimensions of the thoracic aorta using MRI in a broad spectrum of BAV and tricuspid aortic valve disease (TAV) and to define the prevalence of the dilatation of the ascending aorta (AA) ≥4.5 cm in severe BAV disease.
Methods and results
MRI studies were performed on a 1.5 T scanner in a total of 195 consecutive patients with aortic valve disease. Eighty-four aortic valves were classified as BAV and 103 as TAV. In 8 patients, classification of the aortic valve was not possible due to poor image quality. Mean diameters of the AA were significantly greater in BAV compared to TAV (4.39 ± 0.85 Vs. 3.55 ± 0.47 cm, P < 0.0001), whereas no differences were observed in the mean diameters of the aortic arch. Diameters of the descending aorta were slightly smaller in BAV compared to TAV (2.45 ± 0.43 Vs. 2.58 ± 0.31 cm, P < 0.05). In BAV, AA dilatation was independent of the severity of valve dysfunction. In TAV, aortic regurgitation but not stenosis correlated weakly with AA dilatation. Prevalence of AA dilatation ≥4.5 cm in BAV with severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation was 38% and 41%, respectively.
Conclusion
Dilatation of the proximal aorta is a frequent finding in BAV and independent of the severity of valve dysfunction. With respect to the high prevalence of AA dilatation ≥4.5 cm in BAV with severe valve dysfunction, careful assessment of the dimensions of the AA is crucial to identify patients in whom concomitant AA replacement is indicated according to current guidelines.