• Moreno Cecconi, Stefano Nistri, Andrea Quarti, Marcello Manfrin, Pier Luigi Colonna, Epifanio Molini, and Gian Piero Perna.
• Presidio Monospecialistico di Alta Specializzazione 'G.M. Lancisi', Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I - G.M. Lancisi - G. Salesi, Ancona, Italy. morcecconi@tiscalinet.it
• J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2006 Jan 1;7(1):11-20.

AbstractThe association of a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with abnormalities of the proximal thoracic aorta, including dilatation, aneurysm and dissection, has been previously described, leading to the hypothesis of a common underlying developmental defect involving the aortic valve and the aortic wall. Consequently, any patient with BAV should receive a careful assessment not only of the valve function, but also of the aortic root and the ascending aorta. Dilatation of the proximal thoracic aorta is a common finding in patients with BAV and is believed to be related to aortic rupture and dissection. Because progressive dilatation can occur, careful long-term surveillance of the aortic dimensions is required. Prophylactic surgical repair of the dilated aorta should be recommended more aggressively for patients with BAV than for those with a tricuspid aortic valve. However, the optimal timing of aortic surgery in BAV patients remains uncertain because of the limited data available on the natural history of asymptomatic aortic dilatation.

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