Prevalence of Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Associated Aneurysmal Pathology
in Patients Undergoing Echocardiography
Abstract
Objective: Reports of prevalence and clinical significance of bicuspid
aortic valve (BAV) disease are variable. We assessed our institutional
echocardiography (ECHO) database to understand the reported prevalence
of BAV and its potential association with thoracic aortic aneurysm
disease (TAAD). Methods: All ECHOs of adult patients (>18
years) performed at a single institution between calendar year 2013 to
2018 were reviewed. BAV patients were categorized by age group (Young
age:18-39 years; Middle age:40-65 years; Old age: >65years)
to assess for aortic valvulopathy and TAAD. Logistic regression analysis
was performed to understand association of BAV with TAAD. Results: Of
48,503 unique patient ECHOs, 245 (0.51%) described a diagnosis of BAV,
with 93(40%) concomitant TAAD. Increased association with endocarditis
(p=0.01) and severe aortic insufficiency (p=0.005) was seen in the Young
group. Ascending aortic diameter was significantly higher in the Middle
compared to the Young group (p<0.001), but similar to Old
group. On multivariable regression, BSA(OR=7.31(2.27-23.57)) and age
(OR=1.02(1.00-1.04)), but not BAV dysfunction (OR1.07(0.51-2.26)) were
associated with TAAD. Conclusions: In this large cross-sectional ECHO
study, reported BAV prevalence was 0.51%. We found high association of
BAV with concomitant TAAD especially in patients greater than 40 years
of age. This suggests that more frequent aortic surveillance may be
warranted in the middle and old age BAV subjects.