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Did you know how a double aortic valve affects heart health?
Bivalvular aortic valve (BAV) is a heart disease caused by the fusion of the two valves of the aortic valve during the development of the uterus, forming two valves (double valve) instead of the normal three valves (triple valve). )structure. This condition is a congenital heart disease that affects about 1.3% of adults and is one of the most common heart conditions at birth. Heart valves play a key role in ensuring one-way flow of blood, from the atria to the ventricles, or from the ventricles to the aorta and pulmonary arteries. BAV is usually hereditary.
In many cases, a double aortic valve does not cause any problems, but some patients may tire easily and have difficulty performing high-intensity cardiovascular activities due to the stress on the aortic wall that affects the heart. function.
Symptoms and complications
BAV can lead to a range of complications, the most common of which include:
Calcification
Bivalve aortic valves may become calcified later in their lives, which may lead to varying degrees of aortic stenosis manifesting as a heart murmur. If the valve fails to close properly, aortic regurgitation may occur. The condition may be severe enough to require heart surgery because the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through a narrowed valve or to try to circulate regurgitated blood through a leaky valve.
Aortic disease
BAV is associated with many changes within the body, particularly the tendency of the ascending aorta to swell. Studies have shown that there are significant deviations in the external aortic matrix of BAV patients compared with the matrix of normal trivalvular aortic valves, particularly a decrease in fibrin 1. This change can lead to dissociation and aneurysms in the aorta.
Aortic stenosis
A double-valved aortic valve may also cause the heart's aortic valve to become narrow (aortic stenosis). This narrowing prevents the valve from opening completely, reducing or stopping the flow of blood from the heart to the body. In some patients, the heart valves may not close tightly, causing blood to flow back into the left ventricle.
In patients with BAV, aortic geometry and flow patterns are important predictors of complications, and these indicators are also related to the patient's specific valve fusion pattern.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A heart murmur is usually found during examination of a bivalve aortic valve, especially in the right second intercostal space. Diagnosis can be aided by cardiac ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 4D MRI technology can accurately describe blood flow characteristics and patterns, allowing doctors to accurately assess heart function and related complications.
Treatment usually involves surgical intervention and may require aortic valve replacement or balloon valvuloplasty if necessary.
More than one-third of those affected will eventually develop significant complications that can lead to a decrease in quality of life or even be life-threatening.
Prognosis and epidemiology
For patients with BAV, if aortic regurgitation and dilatation of the ascending aorta are found, cardiac ultrasound examination should be performed regularly. Annual monitoring is necessary, especially when the aortic root diameter is 4.5 cm or greater.
Based on current epidemiological studies, bivalve aortic valve is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting 1-2% of the population and is twice as common in men as in women. This disease is genetic in nature and is related to mutations in the NOTCH1 gene, with an inheritance rate as high as 89%.
After considering the impact of a bivalve aortic valve, maintaining heart health is still an issue worthy of attention. Are you ready to learn more about your own heart health?
