Comparison Between Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Regurgitation: Presentation, Survival, and Aorta Complications.

BACKGROUND

Although the Asian population is growing globally, data in Asian subjects regarding differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) in aortic regurgitation (AR) remain unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine differences between Asian BAV-AR and TAV-AR in significant AR, including aorta complications.

METHODS

The study included 711 consecutive patients with chronic moderate to severe and severe AR from 2008 to 2020. Outcomes included all-cause death, aortic valve surgery (AVS), and incidence of aortic dissection (AD).

RESULTS

There were 149 BAV-AR (mean age: 48 ± 16 years) and 562 TAV-AR (mean age: 68 ± 15 years; 0.0001) patients; baseline indexed left ventricle and indexed aorta size were larger in TAV-AR. Total follow-up was 4.8 years (IQR: 2.0-8.4 years), 252 underwent AVS, and 185 died during follow-up; 18 cases (only 1 BAV) of AD occurred, with a mean maximal aorta size of 60 ± 9 mm. The 10-year AVS incidence was higher in TAV-AR (51% ± 4%) vs BAV-AR (40% ± 5%) even after adjustment for covariates ( 0.0001). The 10-year survival was higher in BAV-AR (86% ± 4%) vs TAV-AR (57% ± 3%; 0.0001) and became insignificant after age adjustment 0.33). Post-AVS 10-year survival was 93% ± 5% in BAV-AR and 78% ± 5% in TAV-AR, respectively 0.08). The 10-year incidence of AD was higher in TAV-AR (4.8% ± 1.5%) than in BAV-AR (0.9% ± 0.9%) and was determined by aorta size ≥45 mm ( ≤ 0.015). Compared with an age- and sex-matched population in Taiwan, TAV-AR (HR: 3.1) had reduced survival ( 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that TAV-AR patients were at a later stage of AR course and had a high AD rate as opposed to BAV-AR patients in Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of early referral for timely management. Surgery on the aorta with a lower threshold in TAV-AR should be considered.