Abstract 20580: Type of Cusp Fusion in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves is not associated With the Progression of Aortic Regurgitation or Aortic Stenosis, but is related to Dilation of the Ascending Aorta

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are associated with aortic regurgitation (AR), aortic stenosis (AS), and aortic dilation. Hypothesis: Does the type of cusp fusion impact the development of valvular dysfunction and aortic disease in patients with BAV? Methods: In a large retrospective cohort study with long term follow up, 259 patients (mean age 47.7±13.5 yrs) had BAV with at least 2 transthoracic echocardiograms separated by a minimum of 1 year (mean 4.97±2.48 yrs). Severity of AS was graded based on valve area. AR was classified as mild, moderate, or severe using color flow Doppler. Rate of change of the ascending aorta among groups was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze progression of AR and AS. Results: The majority of patients had right and left (R-L) cusp fusion (67%), while 21% had right and non-coronary (R-N) cusp fusion, and 8% had bicommissural valves. Cusp fusion was indeterminate in 9 patients, but confirmed to be BAV at ...