Adult Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital defect of the heart, occurring in 0.5-2% of live births. It is estimated to be responsible for a relevant burden of valvular and vascular disease in the adulthood (bicuspid valvulo-aortopathy). The present chapter focuses on the aspects of valvular morbidity (aortic valve stenosis, regurgitation, endocarditis) and complications of the thoracic aorta in the adult (aortic dilatation, aortic dissection), trying to underscore similarities and unique features of BAV-related conditions compared to the respective diseases in tricuspid aortic valve patients. Epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic theories, risk stratification strategies and treatment principles will be briefly reviewed.