Bicuspid aortic valve

[Jsol21]

I am 31 and recently diagnosed with bicuspid aortic value following investigations for my high blood pressure(prescribed medication for this). I saw the cardiologist who advised there was leaking and to have yearly check ups to monitor this. I spoke about wanting to have a child in the next year or so and wanted to know my treatment options, if any. His guidance was to essentially “wait and see” and surgery could be needed in 5,10 or 15 years. He felt there was likely dilation and I am now waiting for a CT scan.

I feel quite deflated (excuse the pun) that there is no treatment. I think I need a second opinion but not sure of others peoples experience.

[Anotherheartop]

Hi, in short you absolutely can have a baby! I was diagnosed at birth with a bicuspid valve and had surgery to replace it at 29. I choose not to have a mechanical valve as this really hinders having a baby. Sadly it took longer than expected to become pregnant but at 44 I had a baby boy. It was a complicated pregnancy and birth and followed by another valve replacement, but it can be done! I had my baby at St Thomas’s hospital in London, the team there are beyond amazing. I had a combined team looking after my heart and the baby, so if you live close to London I would go there.

[Pennju]

HiSorry to hear about your dilemma. A bicuspid valve isn't that uncommon. I had one, but due to infective encarditis I had to have an emergency replacement.

I can't give you medical advice but the valve is weaker than tricuspid and therefore working harder. Also, maybe more prone to infection and therefore precautions should be taken when having dental work, ie antibiotics.

It is unlikely your valve would be just replaced because its bicuspid unless there's regurgitation or a serious risk.

At least you know about it. I didn't but wish I had. Hopefully the scan will tell you more.

Justin

[NotanAstronaut]

I think you should be asking for a second opinion from an obstetrician as to whether you can have a baby. Certainly having the valve fixed and being on warfarin wouldn't be ideal. I think it is possible to have a caesarean section though planned, before you go into labour. Labour could put a lot of strain on a heart like yours and probably isn't worth risking. Very experienced anaesthetists deal with these cases and you might need to give birth in a teaching hospital rather than a small one, to be safer.

[tess1406]

I have a bicuspid valve and I remember being at that stage when the specialist was saying it could be 5 etc years until surgery. I was told it would be okay to have children at that point. It wasn't until I was monitored as severe when I was told not to. In the end it took around 7 years to get to severe from that point. I was 32 when I had surgery in the end but wasn't ready for children so they did the Ross procedure to give me those extra years to have children when I'm ready 😊

[wilsond]

I wasn't diagnosed with my bicuspid valve until I was 53 and from an echcardiaheam related to ATrial Fibrillation and Flutter!I had 2 children with no problems at all. I have had an ablation for the heart rhythm problems and so far so good 18 months in.

I have an annual echocardiagram to monitor the dodgy valve.