Bicuspid aortic stenosis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Bicuspid aortic stenosis is often undiagnosed until later in life when the person develops symptomatic aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis occurs in this condition usually in patients in their 40s or 50s, an average of 10 years earlier than can occur in people with congenitally normal aortic valves. 30% of cases are diagnosed in adolescence.

Symptoms

Symptoms may not develop until adolescence (in later adulthood with acquired aortic stenosis) and include:

1. Dyspnea on exertion
2. Exertional dizziness or syncope
3. Exertional angina
4. Heart failure
5. Endocarditis. Occassionally patients with aortic stenosis may present with fever and bacteremia as these patients are highly susceptible to bacterial endocarditis.
6. Aortic aneurysms or aortic dissections as aortic root enlargement from cystic medial changes occur commonly in these patients.