title: The Role of ECG-Gated CT in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Replacement: New Perspectives in Short- and Long-Term Followup.
abstract: The aim of our study was to compare the results of the TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) with the results obtained by the ECG-gated 64 slices CT during the followup of patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), after aortic valve replacement; in particular we evaluated the aortic root and the ascending aorta looking for a new algorithm in the followup of these patients. From January 1999 to December 2009 our attention was focused on 67 patients with isolated surgical substitution of aortic valve; after dismissal they were strictly observed. During the period between May and September 2010, these patients underwent their last evaluation, and clinical exams, ECG, TTE, and an ECG-gated-MDCT were performed. At followup TTE results showed an aortic root of 36.7 ± 4 mm and an ascending aorta of 39.6 ± 4.8 mm. ECG- gated CT showed an aortic root of 37.9 ± 5.5 mm and an ascending aorta of 43.1 ± 5.2. The comparison between preoperative and postoperative TTE shows a significant long-term dilatation of the ascending aorta while the aortic root diameter seems to be stable. ECG-gated CT confirms the stability of the aortic root diameter (38.2 ± 5.3 mm versus 37.9 ± 5.5  mm; <0.0001) and the increasing diameter value of the ascending aorta (40.2 ± 3.9 mm versus 43.1 ± 5.2 mm; P = 0.0156). Due to the different findings between CT and TTE studies, ECG-gated CT should no longer be considered as a complementary exam in the followup of patients with BAV, but as a fundamental role since it is a real necessity.
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Sperandio
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Arganini
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Bindi
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Armando
authors: A
authors: Fusco
authors: Dipartimento di Cardiochirurgia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Olevano
authors: Dipartimento di Cardiochirurgia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Bertoldo
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Romagnoli
authors: Dipartimento di Cardiochirurgia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Chiariello
authors: Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Imaging Molecolare, Radiologia Interventistica e Radioterapia, Fondazione Ospedaliera Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Simonetti