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Dilatation of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve disease: a magnetic resonance imaging study

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Abstract

Background

Bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) is increasingly recognized as a disease of the entire proximal aorta including both valvular and vascular complications. The aim of our study was to assess the dimensions of the thoracic aorta using MRI in a broad spectrum of BAV and tricuspid aortic valve disease (TAV) and to define the prevalence of the dilatation of the ascending aorta (AA) ≥4.5 cm in severe BAV disease.

Methods and results

MRI studies were performed on a 1.5 T scanner in a total of 195 consecutive patients with aortic valve disease. Eighty-four aortic valves were classified as BAV and 103 as TAV. In 8 patients, classification of the aortic valve was not possible due to poor image quality. Mean diameters of the AA were significantly greater in BAV compared to TAV (4.39 ± 0.85 Vs. 3.55 ± 0.47 cm, P < 0.0001), whereas no differences were observed in the mean diameters of the aortic arch. Diameters of the descending aorta were slightly smaller in BAV compared to TAV (2.45 ± 0.43 Vs. 2.58 ± 0.31 cm, P < 0.05). In BAV, AA dilatation was independent of the severity of valve dysfunction. In TAV, aortic regurgitation but not stenosis correlated weakly with AA dilatation. Prevalence of AA dilatation ≥4.5 cm in BAV with severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation was 38% and 41%, respectively.

Conclusion

Dilatation of the proximal aorta is a frequent finding in BAV and independent of the severity of valve dysfunction. With respect to the high prevalence of AA dilatation ≥4.5 cm in BAV with severe valve dysfunction, careful assessment of the dimensions of the AA is crucial to identify patients in whom concomitant AA replacement is indicated according to current guidelines.

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There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, F.J.-Strauß-Allee 11, 93042, Regensburg, Germany

    Kurt Debl MD, Stefan Buchner MD, Günter Riegger MD & Andreas Luchner MD

  2. Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Behrus Djavidani MD, Florian Poschenrieder MD & Stefan Feuerbach MD

  3. Klinik und Poliklinik für Herz-, Thorax- und herznahe Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Franz-Xaver Schmid MD & Reinhard Kobuch MD

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  1. Kurt Debl MD
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  2. Behrus Djavidani MD
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  3. Stefan Buchner MD
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  4. Florian Poschenrieder MD
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  5. Franz-Xaver Schmid MD
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  6. Reinhard Kobuch MD
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  7. Stefan Feuerbach MD
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  8. Günter Riegger MD
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  9. Andreas Luchner MD
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Correspondence to Kurt Debl MD.

Additional information

K. Debl and B. Djavidani contributed equally as first author

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Debl, K., Djavidani, B., Buchner, S. et al. Dilatation of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve disease: a magnetic resonance imaging study. Clin Res Cardiol 98, 114–120 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-008-0731-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-008-0731-0

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