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Bicuspid Aortic Valve

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What is Bicuspid Aortic Valve?

The aortic valve, one of four in your heart, usually has three leaflets that open and close for blood flow. A bicuspid aortic valve has only two leaflets, which can lead to early onset aortic valve stenosis (narrowing) of the valve.

It can also be associated with leaking of the aortic valve (aortic valve insufficiency) and aneurysms (enlargement) of the aorta.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common cardiac valve condition and is more common in men than women.

Symptoms of Bicuspid Aortic Valve

The condition is present from birth. Initially, patients have no symptoms. If the valve becomes more significantly narrowed, the most common symptoms are:

Shortness of breath during exertion
Dizziness
Leg swelling
Chest pain
Passing out

Image: Diagram of normal tricuspid valve vs. bicuspid aortic valve

Treatments for Bicuspid Aortic Valve

University of Rochester Medicine Advanced Heart Valve Center is completely focused on treating heart valve problems. Here, we offer diagnosis and the latest treatment options for patients who have valve disease.

We use a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) to diagnose patients. No treatment can slow the narrowing of a bicuspid aortic valve. Eventually, patients might need valve replacement and/or surgical repair of an aortic aneurysm.

What Sets Us Apart?

The URochester Medicine Advanced Heart Valve Center was the first in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region to use minimally invasive techniques for aortic valve replacement. This means doing the heart valve replacement surgery through a small incision (less than 2 inches) on the side of the chest instead of opening the entire breastbone.

This can mean less pain and scarring, quicker recovery, lower risk of complications, and a faster return to normal life.