Step I Bicuspid Aortic Valve

[Aconitase]

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Has anyone noticed that First Aid says that a bicuspid aortic valve can cause both aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis? I find this strange since they are so different from one another. Can anyone explain this?

 

[ijn]

Valves that can't open well tend to not close well.

 

[illegallysmooth]

Has anyone noticed that First Aid says that a bicuspid aortic valve can cause both aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis? I find this strange since they are so different from one another. Can anyone explain this?

2 valves taking the beating normally shared by 3 valves. If that damage occurs in such a pattern that it causes valve edges to stick to one another and fibrose, it leads to stenosis. If the damage causes them to be too floppy and not line up correctly, it leads to regurg. If the damage causes some areas to fibrose together, and some areas to be too floppy and not line up correctly --> valves can neither open correctly nor close correctly.

 

[phoenix89]

Valves that can't open well tend to not close well.

This is the best answer to it mate. Dont try to get into technicalities, you'll be better off with simplicity.

 

[Aconitase]

Thank you illegallysmooth! That was a great explanation. And Ijn, if you don't care to explain, then why bother responding to the post?

 

[ijn]

Thank you illegallysmooth! That was a great explanation. And Ijn, if you don't care to explain, then why bother responding to the post?

That's the quote I got from the pediatric cardiologist I had to shadow two weeks ago. We had a 4 year old with a bicuspid valve and I asked him why the diagnosis was AR and AS based on the echo he just read. 🙄

 

[Aconitase]

I apologize then, thanks for the help 🙂