Letter by girdauskas regarding article, aortic dilation in bicuspid aortic valve disease: Flow pattern is a major contributor and differs with valve fusion type

摘要

I read with great interest a recent publication by Dr Bissell et al.1 This report represents a nice continuum of several recent in vivo MR studies in patients with bicuspid aortic valve published during the past 2 years.2,3 In the present study, the authors addressed some controversial aspects of bicuspid aortopathy, in particular impact of R-N BAV cusps fusion pattern on transvalvular flow characteristics, as well as specification of transvalvular flow in the pediatric BAV population (ie, without clinically apparent aortopathy or aortic valve dysfunction). The authors should be congratulated for this excellent contribution and their continuous efforts in defining the role of altered hemodynamics in the development of BAV aortopathy.