What is a bicuspid aortic valve?

What is a bicuspid aortic valve?

A bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital heart defect that affects the one-way valve between your heart and your aorta, known as the aortic valve. Normally, your aortic valve has three cusps that regulate blood flow from your heart to your aorta. But if you have a bicuspid aortic valve, you only have two cusps.

Your aortic valve cusps, also called leaflets or flaps, open and shut to regulate blood flow between your heart and your aorta. These flaps make sure your oxygen-rich blood flows in the right direction: Out of your heart and into your aorta. They prevent blood from flowing backward into your heart. The flaps should open widely to let blood flow out of your heart and then close securely.

If you only have two flaps, rather than three, it’s harder for your aortic valve to function in the right way. You may develop valve diseases like aortic regurgitation or aortic stenosis.