Elasticity of ascending aorta and left ventricular myocardial functions in children with bicuspid aortic valve.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to determine the aortic elasticity parameters (EPs) and myocardial function in children with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Additionally, we evaluated the effect of aortic leaflet phenotype (ALP) and aortic dilatation on elasticity parameters.

METHODS

Sixty-two children diagnosed with isolated BAV (mean age 9.3 years old; patient group) and 63 healthy children (control group) have been evaluated for this study. Patient group was divided into three age subgroups: between 0-6, 7-11 and 12-17 age intervals. Distensibility (DI) and stiffness index (SI) of ascending aorta were calculated by M-mode echocardiographic data. The myocardial functions were evaluated by tissue Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

Patient group exhibited significantly lower DI and higher SI than control group (SI: 3.8 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 0.8, P < .0001). The aortic elasticity indexes in patient group with different age subgroups were different from those in control subgroups. Patient group had significantly lower E' velocity at mitral lateral annulus and septum than control group (P < .017 and P < .001). There was no statistically significant correlation between E' velocities and DI/SI values. We, however, found a weak correlation between septal E' velocities and strain values (r = .255, P = .046). EP did not show statistically significant difference with regard to ALP and presence of aortic dilatation.

CONCLUSION

Abnormality of aortic elasticity and myocardial functions can be detected in children with BAV from infantile to adolescent. Myocardial functions are not related to SI and DI. We considered the possibility of intrinsic aortic wall abnormality in children with BAV.