Valvular & structural heart diseaseResearch article
Global variability in bicuspid aortic valve morphology and aortopathy among patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for transcatheter valve implantation
- Data from cardiovascular multislice CT of severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were analysed in a centralised core laboratory
Authors' conclusion
BAV morphology and annular size showed significant heterogeneity based on the geographical origin. These differences may be relevant for procedural planning and anatomical assessment in BAV patients undergoing TAVI worldwide.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for TAVI from India, West Europe, East Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Russia Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia Pacific and Africapatients evaluated, 3203 (25%) had bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)
- Participants
- 12,712 patients
- Comparison
- Differences in valvular phenotype, annular size and aortic morphology were analysed with a focus on BAV patients
- BAVn = 3,203
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Characteristics of BAV patients
- BAV patients more frequently male, younger and had larger annular area, aortic root diameters
Further findings
Horizontal aorta
- Horizontal aorta, BAV vs comparison
- 23% vs 10%, p<0.01
Severe calcifications
- Severe calcifications, BAV vs comparison
- 52% vs 32%, p<0.01
Prevalence of BAV by region
- Highest prevalence of BAV, patients from India (also the youngest)
- 43%
- Lowest prevalence of BAV, patients from African regions
- 7%
BAV type
- Type 1 BAV
- 71%
- Type 0
- 26%
- Type 2
- 3%
Aortopathy and aortic valve complex by region
- Aortopathy was common across all geographic regions
- Smaller aortic valve complex dimensions and lower coronary ostia height in patients from India and the Asia-Pacific region
- Eccentricity index and horizontal aorta were similar across different geographic regions
Original publication
Global variability in bicuspid aortic valve morphology and aortopathy among patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for transcatheter valve implantation. Heart. Published 4 May 2026. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2025-327445
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it