Prevalence of aortic valve regurgitation in a large population-based study of newborns

• Published in: European heart journal Vol. 41; no. Supplement_2
• Main Authors: Farooqui, A, Bjerrekaer, J.K, Boerresen, M.F, Voegg, R.O, Pihl, C.A, Norsk, J.B, Bundgaard, H, Iversen, K.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2020
• ISSN: 0195-668X; 1522-9645
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3202

Abstract Background Congenital aortic valve regurgitation (AVR) has been estimated to be present in 0.25 per 1,000 live births globally. The true prevalence in an unselected large-scale cohort remains unknown. Presence of congenital AVR could indicate a structural valve abnormality and may result in long-term strain on the heart. Aim To find the true prevalence of AVR in a large cohort of unselected newborns. Methods Between April 2016 and October 2018, 25,752 newborns were consecutively included in a population-based prospective multicenter cohort and examined with transthoracic echocardiography within the first 30 days of life. Examinations with AVR were categorized as trivial AVR by the presence of a trivial diastolic transvalvular flow, or as non-trivial AVR by the presence of a significantly larger and visually observable transvalvular flow. In newborns with non-trivial AVR, the vena contracta, the duration of the transvalvular flow, and the duration of the diastole were measured. The cases were matched 1:4 with newborns with no AVR based on sex, gestational age at birth, birth weight and age at time of examination. Results AVR was identified in 329 newborns (1.3%). Of these, 260 were classified as trivial AVR, 69 (0.27%) were non-trivial AVR. Non-trivial AVR had significantly larger aortic roots at all points of measurement compared to controls (mean±SD): aortic valve annulus (7.3 (0.73) vs. 7.0 (0.63) mm), Sinus of Valsalva (10.3 (1.0) vs. 9.7 (1.0) mm), sino-tubular junction (8.4 (0.8) vs. 8 (0.8) mm), and ascending aorta (10 (0.9) vs. 9.4 (1.1) mm) (p<0.01 for all). Left ventricular dimensions and function did not significantly differ between the cases and controls. The presence of a non-trivial AVR was highly associated with a bicuspid aortic valve (9 (13.0%) vs. 3 (1.1%), p<0.001). Conclusions We found a prevalence of congenital AVR of 1.3% in a large cohort of unselected newborns, which is higher than previously reported. One in five of all AVR found were classified as non-trivial. Newborns with non-trivial AVR presented with larger aortic root and ascending aorta dimensions. Newborns with non-trivial AVR also had a ten-fold higher occurrence of bicuspid aortic valve compared to controls. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Hjerteforeningen