Bicuspid aortic valve

Bikuspidalität is available at a malformation of the aortic or pulmonary valve. Both heart valves normally consist of three crescent- shaped pockets ( semilunar valves ), but in this case only two.

The Bikuspidalität is the most common anatomic variation of the heart (incidence 1-2%) and occurs more frequently along with a coarctation of the aorta. A genetic defect ( NOTCH1 ) is considered to be the cause.

The malformation can be seen by echocardiography or MRI. The extent to which a specific disease value is controversial, an influence on the life expectancy in any case could not be proved.