A bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart anomaly, occurring in roughly 1 to 2 percent of the population. Instead of the normal three cusps, the valve has only two, which changes how it opens and closes. On echocardiography, a bicuspid valve can be identified by its characteristic fish-mouth opening pattern in the short-axis view, compared to the triangular opening of a normal three-leaflet valve. While many people with bicuspid aortic valves live their entire lives without problems, this condition increases the risk of developing aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and aortic root dilation over time, which is why regular echocardiographic monitoring is recommended.
Sonography Term