Re: enlarged aortic root

Posted By Daniel on April 30, 1999 at 14:33:16
Hi, I have a question about my Echo results from last fall.
I (32 years old) have a bicuspid aortic valve with mild reguritation.  
I also have MVP with no reguritation.  The aortic valve opens fully
3cm**2, and the heart has normal size and contractiblity according
to the echo report.  I do have a mildly enlarged aortic root of 4.2 cm
however (it has been enlarged since I started echo's 8
years ago).  Is there anything I need to be concerned about with the
enlarged aortic root?  Also is this a frequent occurrance with
bicuspid aortic valves?  Any causes for this?
Thanks
Daniel

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 30, 1999 at 17:54:05

Q: Is there anything I need to be concerned about with the
enlarged aortic root?
A: No. This is a very mild dilation and is no cause for concern.
Q: Also is this a frequent occurrance with
bicuspid aortic valves?
A: No.
Q: Any causes for this?
A: Most likely you were born with it.

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.

[Dan__0]

Posted By Dan on May 03, 1999 at 17:50:33
Thanks for your helpful response.
I wanted to also ask a question about the maximum benefit of
Ace Inhibitors to reducing wear on bicuspid valves.  I first
started taking Inderal 15 years ago when I was 18 at the time
for high systolic blood pressure (155/70).  In 1992, my doctor
started me on 5 mg Vasotec which worked well.  Then because of
my bicuspid valve, he increased the dose to 20 mg/day.  I also
take 50 mg lopressor to reduce symptoms of MVP.
My question is, I would like to take the maximum dosage of an ACE
inhibitor or other drug to try to reduce the wear on the bicuspid
aortic valve as much as possible.  The 20 mg/day Vasotec seems to
keep the blood pressure under control (125/80).  I know that is a
pretty large dose already, but can even higher doses be used (for
the valve?).
Are there better drugs which one can use to reduce wear on the aortic
valve (what are the latest recommendations)   What about CoQ10?  
Also are there any products which might strengthen heart valves (so they are less floppy) (prescription or natural)?
Thanks very much
Daniel












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