If you have a bicuspid aortic valve, you are typically referred to a health care provider trained in congenital heart disease. This type of provider is called a congenital cardiologist.
Anyone with a bicuspid aortic valve needs regular health checkups and imaging tests. Echocardiograms check for a narrowed or leaking aortic valve. The test also looks for changes in the size of the aorta.
Treatment for a bicuspid aortic valve depends on the severity of heart valve disease. It may include medicines, procedures and surgery.
Medications
There are no medicines to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. But medicines may be used to treat symptoms caused by heart valve disease. For example, your provider may recommend blood pressure medicine.
Surgeries or other procedures
Surgery may be needed if a bicuspid aortic valve is causing:
- Aortic valve stenosis.
- Aortic valve regurgitation.
- An enlarged aorta.
Surgery is done to repair or replace the aortic valve. The type of surgery done depends on the specific heart valve condition and your symptoms.
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Aortic valve replacement. The surgeon removes the damaged valve. It's replaced with a mechanical valve or a valve made from cow, pig or human heart tissue. The tissue valve is called a biological tissue valve. Sometimes, the aortic valve is replaced with the person's own lung valve. The lung valve is replaced with a lung tissue valve from a deceased donor. This more complicated surgery is called the Ross procedure.
Biological tissue valves break down over time. They may eventually need to be replaced. If you have a mechanical valve, you need to take blood thinners for life to prevent blood clots. Together, you and your health care provider discuss the benefits and risks of each valve type.
- Aortic root and ascending aorta surgery. Surgeons remove the enlarged section of the aorta located near the heart. It's replaced with a synthetic tube, called a graft, which is sewn into place. Sometimes, only the enlarged section of the aorta is removed and the aortic valve remains. The aortic valve also can be replaced or repaired during this procedure.
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Balloon valvuloplasty. This procedure can treat aortic valve stenosis in infants and children. In adults, the aortic valve tends to narrow again after the procedure. So it's usually only done if you're too ill for surgery or you're waiting for a valve replacement.
This heart valve procedure uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The catheter has a balloon on the tip. The surgeon inserts the catheter into an artery in the arm or groin. Then the catheter is guided to the aortic valve. Once in place, the balloon inflates, making the valve opening bigger. The balloon is deflated. The catheter and balloon are removed.