Evaluation of pulse wave velocity in children with bicuspid aortic valve patients with normal cardiac and valve function Pulse wave velocity in bicuspid aortic valve

Background: We aimed to analyze aortic elasticity properties in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a transthoracic echocardiography device. Methods: Fifty BAV patients and 50 healthy children were included in this study. Patients were classified into type 1 and type 2 according to the morphology of valve fusion. All patients were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular wall thickness, function, aortic strain, distensibility index, stiffness index were evaluated using formulas derived from aortic diameters. Velocity measurements were taken from the ascending and descending aorta using pulse wave (PW) Doppler. Pulse wave velocity was determined as the (total distance)/(transit time). Results: Pulse wave velocity was found to be significantly higher in the BAV group, whose ventricular wall thickness and functions were similar with the other group (p = 0.000). PWV was significantly higher in type 1 BAV group (p = 0.03). The aortic strain and distensibility index (DI) were lower and the stiffness index (SI) was higher in the BAV group. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The aortic diameters in the BAV group were significantly higher than those in the control group. There was a correlation between PWV and aortic diameter, aortic flow velocity, and aortic valve regurgitation vena cava diameter. Conclusions; In the evaluation of aortic elasticity properties in the BAV group, the PWV value measurement obtained with the values measured by the transthoracic echocardiographic method is practical, easily accessible, inexpensive, and can be evaluated without the need for additional devices.