[Thoracic aorta echocardiographic features of patients with bicuspid aortic valve].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the thoracic aorta features in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with echocardiography.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the echocardiographic features and clinical manifestations in 273 patients with BAV detected from 1991-04 to 2006-02.


RESULTS
(1) Aortic dimensions of the anulus, the sinuses of valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter of 31 patients with functionally normal BAV were significantly increased compared that in control subjects (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) while the dimension of the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). (2) There is no relation between the vulval positions of BAV and aortic dimensions (P > 0.05). (3) The dimensions of the annulus as well as the sinuses of valsalva were negatively related to the aortic valve gradient, and the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction were positively related to the degree of aortic regurgitation in 273 patients with BAV (all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show there is a hemodynamic independent thoracic aortic dilation in patients with functionally normal BAV. Gradient and aortic regurgitation are related to the dimension of the annulus, the sinuses of valsalva and sinotubular junction in patients with BAV.
Hou
Yue-shuang
YS
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Privincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou 510100, China.
He
Ya-le
YL
Huang
Xin-sheng
XS
Fei
Hong-wen
HW
Xu
Yan
Y
Feng
Bi-xia
BX
D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography