Bicuspid Aortic Valve Treatment (BAV)
and Management

If the severity of the aortic regurgitation progresses, patients may need aortic valve repair or replacement surgery. Aortic valve surgery is highly effective and safe. It’s important to have surgery early enough to prevent permanent damage to the heart or future complications. Your care team will determine the best timing for you. Thanks to advancements in technology, many people can have minimally invasive techniques instead of traditional open-heart surgery.

Aortic Valve Repair Surgery – involves repairing your aortic valve without replacing it, but it doesn’t treat aortic stenosis or narrowing. A surgeon will reshape your aortic valve cusps and reconstruct the aorta to help them open and close more efficiently.

Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery – involves removing a defective valve and replacing it with a new one. Eighty percent of valve replacements are from biological tissue using pig or cow tissue. However, this type of tissue breaks down over time and only lasts about 12 years before it may need to be replaced. Mechanical valves, also known as synthetic valves, are another excellent option. They have longer durability, but also require a lifelong commitment to taking blood thinners to prevent blood clots.

No medication can cure a bicuspid aortic valve or reverse the structural defect, because it is a mechanical issue. However, medications can be used to manage symptoms, reduce strain on the aorta, control blood pressure, and manage complications like heart failure or arrhythmias. Common medications prescribed may include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or diuretics.

Our Bicuspid Aortic Valve Clinic has a strong partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center, where a team of pediatric cardiologists is well-equipped to manage and treat children with BAV. We will coordinate care to ensure you and your child are in expert hands should further evaluation and care be needed.

Aortic valve repair surgery usually takes 4-5 hours. Typical length of stay ranges from 4 to 7 days.

Aortic valve replacement surgery usually takes 3 hours, with a typical length of stay ranging from 4 to 7 days

Everyone is different, but on average, it may take 6 weeks to 3 months to fully recover from aortic valve surgery.

No, not everyone with a bicuspid aortic valve will need surgery; however, most do eventually. Roughly 20% percent never require surgery, and around 80% percent will need valve repair or replacement as they age.

Roughly 98% percent of people who have aortic valve surgery survive without it affecting their life expectancy. However, regular monitoring is recommended so your provider can ensure you are getting the treatment you need, when you need it. Treatment is essential for avoiding complications.