Recurrent Posterior Circulatory Emboli From a Mildly Stenosed Bicuspid Aortic Valve

• Published in: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 562 - 564
• Main Authors: Purvis, John, MD, FRCP, FESC, Gordon, Patricia, MB, MRCP, Flynn, Peter, MB, MRCP, FRCR, McCarron, Mark, MA, MD, FRCP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Aortic Valve - abnormalities; Aortic Valve - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Valve Stenosis - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Valve Stenosis - etiology; Ataxia - etiology; Brain Ischemia - etiology; Brain Ischemia - pathology; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Calcinosis - etiology; Cardiovascular; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Congenital cardiac valvular disease; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; embolic stroke; Heart Defects, Congenital - complications; Heart Defects, Congenital - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Intracranial Embolism - etiology; Intracranial Embolism - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurology; Recurrence; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke - etiology; Stroke - pathology; transesophageal echocardiography; Congenital cardiac valvular disease; embolic stroke; transesophageal echocardiography
• ISSN: 1052-3057; 1532-8511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2010.02.024

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common condition but is only rarely associated with embolic complications. We describe a 42-year-old man with recurrent posterior circulatory ischemic strokes that resulted in ataxia and cognitive impairment. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a BAV with mild stenosis, moderate calcification, and a dilated ascending aorta. The degree of calcification and the valve phenotype might be important factors implicating the BAV as a rare cause of ischemic stroke.