Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Bicuspid Heart Valve

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Congenital Heart

I am a 64 year old male with a bicuspid heart valve and one blocked artery. At my next appointment my cardiologist will give me a stress test with an echocardiogram. It appears that there is stenosis. A decision will be made whether to start me on a beta blocker or a cholesterol lowering drug. Is this totally a matter of deciding which is the greater threat, the stenosis or the cholesterol? I want to learn all I can about this condition. Any advice or suggestions?

Dear Ron,

The aortic valve is the valve that separates the left ventricle from the aorta. It is made of 3 leaflets or flaps that look like an peace symbol when the valve is closed. A bicuspid aortic valve means that there are 2 leaflets instead of the usual 3. A unicuspid valve means there is only one leaflet. Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital anomaly of the heart. These valves are functional at birth and remain so throughout a normal life span. There is a increased predisposition to progress to stenosis (narrowing) as an older adult (60-70's) and surgical repair may be required at that time. Replacement is not generally required until the valve has an area of less than 1 cm2. There is also some increase in the incidence of infective endocarditis (infection of the valve).

Q: Are there any physical restrictions for individuals with bicuspid aortic valve?
A: No.

Q: Is there any reason to believe that exercise can cause or exacerbated the leakage already in the valve or the dilation of the ventricle?
A: No. Exercise does not precipitate deteriotion of valves.

Q: Are there any special diet restrictions?
A: No.

Q: Are there some people who have had bicuspid aortic valve who will never have to have a valve replacement or will everyone with this problem eventually have to get their valve replaced?
A: Only a small percentage of people with this condition will eventually need surgery.

Q: What type of replacement valve is best should surgery be required?
A: The choices are a bioprosthetic valve (from an animal), a mechanical valve, or a homograft (from a human cadaver). Each has benefits and risks. The benefit of the bioprosthetic and homograft are that anticoagulation with a blood thinner is not required. This may be useful in women of child-bearing age who desire to become pregnant and older persons with a high risk of falling. The disadvantage of these valves is that their life-span is only about 10 years. The advantage of the mechanical valve is that the life-span is much longer (usually longer than the patients) but requires taking an anticoagulant.

It is a highly individualized choice as to which valve and will depend upon the patient's preference, the practice of the hospital where the surgery takes place and the co-existing medical problems. The final decision as to which valve to use will be made by the surgeon in the OR once the valve is exposed and clearly seen.

Q: Is repair of the valve an option, rather than replacement?
A: Aortic valve repair is not a mainstream surgery but is being done at some centers. Essentially what this surgery involves is a detachment of the valve from the aorta and reattachment to a graft. The benefit of the operation is the preservation of the native aortic valve. This type of operation is not commonly done but may be a good option depending on the particulars of the case. In any case it would be wise to have the operation at a major medical center with experience with the operation. The following article has additional information about valve repair and can be obtained at your local medical library.

Pepper J. Yacoub M. Valve conserving operation for aortic regurgitation. Journal of Cardiac Surgery. 12(2 Suppl):151-6, 1997 Mar-Apr.


Q: How do I find out if I would be a candidate for the minimally invasive techniques that are being used now?
A: You would first need to be evaluated by a cardiologist who would make recommendations to you and the surgeon. The final choice would be up to the surgeon doing the operation. If you would like to be seen here I would recommend Dr. Cosgrove or Dr. Lytle (http://www.ccf.org/heartcenter/staff/thoracic.htm). Surgical appointments can be made through the surgery scheduling office at (216) 444-4470.


More information about congenital valve abnormalities can be found in the web sites below.

http://www.amhrt.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/conghd.html

http://155.37.5.42/eAtlas/CV/579b.htm

http://www.mamc.amedd.army.mil/WILLIAMS/CHEST/Cardiac/Congenital/Bicuspid/Bicuspid.htm

http://www.cachnet.org/messages2/3292.html

http://www.mch.com/pihc5-06.htm

Hope this helps.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

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