Evaluation of aortic valve function in patients with bicuspid aortic valve with echocardiography

Objective To evaluate the application of echocardiography in the diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve and its pathophysiologic development and to demonstrate the degree of aortic valve dysfunction. Methods The echocardiographic characteristics and clinical data were analyzed retrospectively in 135 patients with bicuspid aortic valve to demonstrate the variation of aortic valve dysfunction in the progression of the course of the disease. Results Isolated aortic regurgitation was present in 68 (50%) patients, 19 (14%)patients had isolated aortic stenosis and 29 (22%)patients had combined aortic stenosis and regurgitation, 19 (14%) patients had neither stenosis nor regurgitation. Aortic regurgitation were all more commen within each age group, aortic regurgitation were also more commen within each age group in patients in their advanced course who went to surgical treatment. Conclusions Echocardiography is an effective method in the early diagnosis of aortic valve dysfunction. Key words: Echocardiography; Bicuspid aortic valve; Aortic valve stenosis;  Aortic valve insufficiency