Understanding Congenital insufficiency of aortic valve: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

The aortic valve is located between your left ventricle of the heart and the aorta, which is the main artery that supplies blood to your body. The valve ensures that blood flows in one direction – from the ventricle to the aorta.
Bicuspid aortic valve disease occurs when a person is born with an aortic valve that has two flaps instead of the usual three. This may lead to a stenosis of the valve, a regurgitation, or both.
Stenosis is a narrowing of the valve, causing a disruption to the blood flow. Regurgitation happens when your valve don’t close properly, thus causing back-flow of blood.
In very severe cases, the symptoms of this type of disorder are present at birth. However, The valve is usually able to function for years without causing symptoms, so most people with bicuspid aortic valve disease aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Congenital Aortic valve regurgitation
- Bicuspid aortic valve

Signs & symptoms

When symptoms do occur, they may include:
*shortness of breath, especially with exertion
*chest pain
*dizziness and fainting

Diagnosis

If a problem with your aortic valve is suspected, your doctor will begin by listening to your heart with a stethoscope. They’ll listen for any abnormal sounds that might indicate a problem with your valve. Your doctor may also order an echocardiogram - This is an ultrasound of the heart that tells your doctor about the size and shape of your heart, the pumping action of your heart and the function of the valves.
Other tests that may be used to diagnose or evaluate heart valve disorders, or to rule out other conditions, include the following: ECG, chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, stress test, Cardiac catheterization.

Treatment

Treatments for bicuspid valve disease depend on the severity of the disorder, symptoms and complications if present. Treatments include:
*lifestyle changes
*Medications that control blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow.
*Surgical repair or replacement of the valve, via catheterization or an open surgery.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital