Advances in Understanding Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Guest: Hector I. Michelena, M.D.
Hosts: Patricia A. Pellikka, M.D.

The congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect, affecting 1% of the population (2% in men and 0.5% women), with men to women ratio of 2:1 to 3:1, and it is characterized by heterogeneity of phenotypic expression and outcomes.

Topics Discussed:
• What is bicuspid aortic valve and why is it important?
• What is meant by saying that it is a heterogeneous disease?
• What is the natural history of the disease?
• What are the differences between BAV AS and TAV AS? What about BAV AR and TAV AR?
• Are there sex differences in BAV disease?