I had AVR May 2020. A senior nurse observed the op and talked to me later. She explained that most aortic valves have three leaflets but i only had two. I now have been asked about the genetic likelihood of biscupid issues and especially during the pandemic. Can any one tell me in simple English as to the nature of biscupid . And how to spell it !
Colin
Hi, hope you’re recovering well after your AVR in May. My husband had his Aortic Valve replaced nearly 3 years. His was bicuspid too. From what we were told it’s a fairly common congenital (ie grew like that in the womb) condition.
There’s some information on the BHF website, including mention of research going on at the moment. Here’s the link
bhf.org.uk/search?keyword=B...
The Mayo Clinic website says
mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...
And the BMJ has a heart section with an article (which is very technical) you have to buy or subscribe to obtain in full. I don’t have full access otherwise I’d post it here for you but here’s the link to the article
heart.bmj.com/content/105/8...
There must be lots more information out there but stick to the major respected sites like those of hospitals, universities, NHS, BHF.
All the best.
Thank you Shar. I didnt know i had biscupid AV. And now i have a new valve i guess i dont !
Just like my husband! He didn’t know until he had to have an Echo after being sent to hospital by his GP for what turned out to be Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
Hi, I understand it is one of the most common congenital heart defects. You can compare bicuspid with tricuspid image here google.co.uk/search?q=bicus....
I was told that when the aortic valve has only two leaflets calcification builds up more quickly because they are working harder than when there are three. Generally this becomes a problem (severe stenosis) In our 60s but up until then usually no symptoms at all.
My father and I both had AVR and my son was diagnosed shortly after birth so it seems to be a dominant genetic factor in our family.
Thank you Jay. That fits exactly in to my profile. Also, fits in with what I suspect, which is two blades will clog faster than three.
Family are getting jittery thinking I will have passed it on. Referring this to the under 7 years grandchildren. But none speak to me about it.
Nurse said most AVs are like the Mercedes sign whereas mine is just flat.
I had quite an athletic life and the stenosis held off until I was 70.
Best wishes
Colin
I was struggling with how to describe normal valve, Mercedes sign is perfect!
I didn't really have any symptoms but just casually mentioned my family history during a routine GP visit as I was approaching my 60th and turned out I had critical AS and needed urgent op. It was at that point I mentioned it to my son (whose in his 20s) as something he will be screened for as he gets older and he was fine with it, just said "oh right same as Arnold Schwarzenegger"
I think its unusual to be dominant so it's not a given that there will be inheritance. It's really easy to diagnose through an echocardiagram.
PS: my dad lived to 88 so over 25 years post AVR, would have been longer except for cancer. He was very fit and active throughout.
Hi,
I have a bicuspid valve and all my siblings have had to be checked who are all no sign of bicuspid just me.
My children will have to be checked too.
As far as I know there is no one in my family who have it.
My was discovered 2 years ago following chest pain but wasn’t related
Ali
Is it ok to miss some doses of meds
missing a beat 
