{"id":34381,"date":"2022-01-26T17:51:45","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T22:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/?p=34381"},"modified":"2025-11-06T13:14:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T18:14:28","slug":"bicuspid-aortic-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2022\/01\/26\/bicuspid-aortic-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"“Which Family Members Are At Risk for Bicuspid Aortic Valves?” asks Donna"},"content":{"rendered":"

I just received a fantastic question about the genetics specific to bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).<\/a><\/p>\n

In her email, Donna asks, “Adam – I had a BAV and aneurysm replacement surgery 9 and 1\/2 years ago. My question is, ‘Which family members could also be at risk?’ I have no knowledge of family members that had this issue.\u00a0 But, what about my children or grandchildren?”<\/p>\n

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Donna asks a great question about the screening of relatives for bicuspid aortic valves and aneurysms.\u00a0 As we have learned together, these cardiac conditions can be quite insidious and life-threatening at the same time.<\/p>\n

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First Degree Relatives Need To Get Screened!<\/h2>\n

According to the American Heart Association and Lurie’s Children Hospital, a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital abnormality of the aortic valve that is hereditary in nature. If someone in your family has BAV, there is an approximately 1 in 10 chance someone else in the family may have this valve disorder which can cause aortic stenosis<\/a> and\/or aortic regurgitation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Specific to Donna’s question about who should be tested, the American Heart Association and Lurie’s Children Hospital recommends that all first-degree relatives \u2014 parents and siblings \u2014 of a person diagnosed with BAV should be screened. If diagnosed early, BAV can be managed prior to causing symptoms or complications.<\/p>\n

It’s important to note that many individuals with BAV do not experience symptoms until they begin to have complications. That said, a screening echocardiogram is recommended since early diagnosis is key to preventing complications.<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n