Vol 70, No 4 (2011)
Review article
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-11-25
The anatomopathology of bicuspid aortic valve
S.-M. Yuan
Folia Morphol 2011;70(4):217-227.
Vol 70, No 4 (2011)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-06-27
Published online: 2011-11-25
Abstract
The bicuspid aortic valve is a common congenital heart disease characterised
by inequality of cusp size, a central raphe, and smooth cusp margins even in
diseased valves. It may progress and become calcified, leading to varying degrees
of aortic valve disorders, such as stenosis, regurgitation, or combined,
which may eventually necessitate surgical intervention. The bicuspid aortic valve
is not a disorder confined to the aortic valve, but a spectrum involving the
aortic valve, aortic annulus, aortic root, ascending aorta, and the left ventricular
outflow tract. Different types of bicuspid aortic valves may present with
distinct aetiologies and morphologies. The anatomopathological features of
the bicuspid aortic valve have not been sufficiently elucidated. Differences in
the anatomy of the bicuspid aortic valve could reflect different pathogeneses
and different needs for different therapeutic approaches. Debates still remain
in terms of timing of surgery and surgical indications of this disorder. The aim
of the present article is to make a review of the anatomy and the management
strategies of the bicuspid aortic valve in order to draw inferences about the
clinical implications. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 217–227)
Abstract
The bicuspid aortic valve is a common congenital heart disease characterised
by inequality of cusp size, a central raphe, and smooth cusp margins even in
diseased valves. It may progress and become calcified, leading to varying degrees
of aortic valve disorders, such as stenosis, regurgitation, or combined,
which may eventually necessitate surgical intervention. The bicuspid aortic valve
is not a disorder confined to the aortic valve, but a spectrum involving the
aortic valve, aortic annulus, aortic root, ascending aorta, and the left ventricular
outflow tract. Different types of bicuspid aortic valves may present with
distinct aetiologies and morphologies. The anatomopathological features of
the bicuspid aortic valve have not been sufficiently elucidated. Differences in
the anatomy of the bicuspid aortic valve could reflect different pathogeneses
and different needs for different therapeutic approaches. Debates still remain
in terms of timing of surgery and surgical indications of this disorder. The aim
of the present article is to make a review of the anatomy and the management
strategies of the bicuspid aortic valve in order to draw inferences about the
clinical implications. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 217–227)
Keywords
aortic valve; heart valve diseases; pathology; surgical
Title
The anatomopathology of bicuspid aortic valve
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 70, No 4 (2011)
Article type
Review article
Pages
217-227
Published online
2011-11-25
Page views
815
Article views/downloads
5297
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2011;70(4):217-227.
Keywords
aortic valve
heart valve diseases
pathology
surgical
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