BICUSPID AORTIC ANEURYSM PROGRESSION: INSIGHTS FROM HISTOLOGY

Patients with bicuspid valves (BAV) are known to have higher instances of ascending aortic aneurysms and these complications occur at younger ages than the general trileaflet population (TAV). There is lack of consensus on the mechanical differences of ascending aortic aneurysms associated with BAV vs. TAV. The current theory surrounding heightened aneurysm risk for BAV patients suggests a genetic as well as a mechanical component related to...