Perforation of a Stenotic Congenitally Bicuspid Aortic Valve Cusp by Heavy Calcium in the Other Cusp

Am J Cardiol. 2020 Jan 15;125(2):299-301. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2019.10.032. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Abstract

On occasion in patients with stenotic congenitally bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs), the quantity of calcium in one of the cusps is considerably greater than in the other cusp. We examined operatively excised stenotic congenitally BAVs in 630 patients having isolated aortic valve replacement (No other cardiac valve was replaced, and none had had infective endocarditis.) Of the 630 valves, 3 contained a perforation in the mildly calcified cusp due to a large calcific "spur" extending across the orifice from a heavily calcified cusp. In conclusion, heavy calcific deposits in 1 of 2 BAVs may extend across the orifice causing a perforation in the noncalcified portion of the opposing cusp.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aortic Valve / abnormalities*
  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / complications
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / diagnosis*
  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Forecasting*
  • Heart Rupture / diagnosis*
  • Heart Rupture / etiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / complications
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rupture, Spontaneous