[Significance of the bicuspid aortic valve in the incidence of aortic valve defects in adults].

In 388 patients with severe isolated aortic valve disease bicuspid aortic valves were found in 45% of patients with aortic stenosis and 24% of patients with aortic regurgitation. There was a history of rheumatic fever in 16% and of endocarditis in 7% of these patients. In a group of 110 patients with severe combined aortic and mitral valve disease, 50% had a history of rheumatic fever and bicuspid valves were found in only 12% of the cases. Severe aortic valve disease based on bicuspid valves was most frequently found in the age group 50-69 years. Bicuspid aortic valve is today the most frequent cause of isolated aortic valve disease; it is more common in aortic stenosis but also occurs in aortic regurgitation.