Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
A bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital (something you’re born with) heart condition. Surprisingly you may not even know you have one until your healthcare provider finds it when you’re an adult or you start feeling its effects.
Cleveland Clinic is the No. 1 hospital in the nation for heart care and one of the only hospitals in the world to repair bicuspid aortic valves. Our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons are world-renowned for their expertise, excellent outcomes and outstanding patient care. We also understand how scary a heart problem can be and want to ease your fears as much as possible. Your heart is in good hands at Cleveland Clinic.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Bicuspid Aortic Valve Care?
National recognition
Cleveland Clinic is nationally ranked and globally recognized as the world leader in cardiovascular care.
High-volume specialty
Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest cardiac surgery and interventional (minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures) centers in the country. Our surgeons and interventionalists do thousands of heart valve procedures each year and often on those with complex medical needs. Patients from across the country and the globe travel to us for heart care.
Trusted experts
Our heart specialists are world-renowned for their expertise, excellent outcomes and outstanding patient care. Our heart team has received numerous awards and recognition, including the highest ratings for adult cardiac surgery from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and accreditation as a comprehensive care center for adult congenital heart disease by the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA).
Patient-centered care
At Cleveland Clinic, your excellent care is always our first priority. And it shows. Our team consistently gets top marks on satisfaction surveys, and our patients regularly recommend Cleveland Clinic for heart care.
Collaborative care
As a patient at one of the largest cardiac centers in the U.S., your care team will include leading heart specialists, including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, nurses and more. They’ll work together to manage your care and tailor treatments just for you. Meet our team.
Comprehensive care
If needed, Cleveland Clinic providers in other specialties will also work closely with your heart team to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for complex conditions.
Innovation and research
We use advanced imaging tests and leading-edge, minimally invasive procedures, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) whenever appropriate. We’ve been instrumental in creating new treatment devices, surgical techniques and designs for replacement valves and minimally invasive valve placement. If you qualify, clinical trials are available to test new medications, treatments and therapies.
Recognized expertise
Our specialists are widely published in leading medical journals and textbooks, and our guidelines for patient care are used worldwide as the standard for treatment excellence.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic
The two main types of bicuspid aortic valve disease are stenosis (when the opening to your valve becomes narrow or stiff) and regurgitation (when your valve doesn’t close completely and leaks). Often, the symptoms are barely noticeable — if at all. You might feel tired or lightheaded. If the disease if farther along, you might have chest pain, shortness of breath or feel dizzy.
At your appointment, your healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history and family medical history and will want to know all of your symptoms. Your provider may also listen to your heart through a stethoscope. If your provider hears a murmur (unusual whooshing sounds), that might mean there’s a blood flow problem in one of your valves. Not all murmurs are something to worry about, but it’s important to find out what’s causing the murmur and to check on it over time.
If you have a heart murmur and/or any of the symptoms mentioned above, your provider may order one or more tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests may include echocardiography (heart ultrasound), transesophageal echocardiography (up-close heart ultrasound through your esophagus), a CT scan and an MRI to check how well your heart’s valves are working.
Other tests may include an electrocardiogram or EKG (to test your heart’s electrical activity), or coronary angiography (an X-ray of your heart’s blood vessels using a special dye). Your provider may also check you for aortic aneurysm, coronary artery disease and heart rhythm disorders.
Meet our bicuspid aortic valve disease team
At Cleveland Clinic, your care team will include world-renowned heart specialists. Each of these experts works together and with you to make sure you get exceptional care. Your team may include:
Providers Who Treat Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
Locations
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease Treatment at Cleveland Clinic
Your treatment will depend on the type of bicuspid aortic valve disease you have, how badly your valve is damaged, your age, medical history and your family medical history. But it will also depend on your goals — what you want to achieve with treatment. If you don’t have any symptoms or your symptoms are mild, your healthcare provider may simply keep an eye on your condition with regular checkups and repeated testing. If your condition is more serious, treatment options may include:
Medication
Heart valve disease is a mechanical problem. Picture the valves of your heart like plumbing in your house. If the valve in your sink doesn’t control water flow, it’ll eventually need to be replaced with a new part. This means that medicines can help but won’t fix the problem. Some medicines, though, such as diuretics (water pills), beta-blockers or anticoagulants (blood thinners), can relieve mild symptoms, help your heart pump better and lessen the chance of more valve damage.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces your aortic valve using a small tube (catheter) that’s put into an artery in your groin or neck instead of making a large incision (cut) in your chest. Your provider will tell you if TAVR is an option for you.
Surgery
Most people with bicuspid aortic valve disease need surgery to repair or replace their valve. A repair can usually be done through a minimally invasive procedure to reshape your valve’s flaps so they open and close more completely. If a repair isn’t possible, your provider will decide if the valve needs to be replaced with a biological valve (from a cow or a pig) or mechanical valve (made from carbon and metal).
Traveling for Heart Care at Cleveland Clinic
We know that traveling for any kind of healthcare can be stressful and intimidating. If you’re coming to us from another city, state or even another country, we’re here to help make things as easy and convenient as possible for you. From knowing where to stay and where to eat, how to get to and from the airport, shop, or just find your way around any of our hospitals, we’re here for you.
If you’re an international patient, our experienced and compassionate Global Patient Services (GPS) team will help you navigate the Cleveland Clinic health system. They’ll connect you with the healthcare providers you need, help make appointments, provide language translation services and coordinate follow-up care when you return home.
Taking the Next Step
Learning that you may need treatment to repair or replace a part of your heart can be stressful. At Cleveland Clinic, our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons are among the best in the world. They’re also compassionate providers who’ll help relieve your anxiety and be there for you throughout your journey with bicuspid aortic heart valve disease.
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