Questions about BAV

[Butterfly]

Hi to all!
Is it possible to have BAV and not ever need a valve replacement?
Does stenosis always progress and if so at approximately what rate?
Is the valve area of a bicuspid aortic valve less than a normal aortic valve due to the initial irregularity?
I'm having difficulty finding answers to these questions and are hoping that someone might have some answers for me.

God Bless to all
Butterfly

 

[aussigal]

Hi Butterfly...

Yes its possible to have a BAV that will last you a lifetime...
I think the % of ones that need replacing is about 33%...

I am fairly sure Stenosis progresses though dont know how fast...

The valve area...this would be the area that opens and lets the blood through you are asking about?...have a look at the BAV website for some beaut drawings of a BAV that show a BAV & a regular tricuspid Aortic valve...picture a half-open Cats-eye as what a BAV looks like when open, its rather like a slit .

 

[Kate]

Hi Butterfly!
My understanding is that once stenosis sets in, it always progresses but that the rate varies widely among individuals. So, when mine initially started, my Dr. estimated I had five years before surgery but then I ended up having it a year later because the stenosis progressed more quickly than expected. Can't answer the question about valve area, but likely someone else will be awake soon! Kate

 

[davidfortune]

Butterfly

Bicuspid Foundation has lots of info:

http://www.bicuspidfoundation.com