Unicuspid and quadricuspid aortic valves: two case reports and literature review

Abstract

There are three cusps in a normally developed aortic valve. Abnormal excavation or fusion, during the embryological development of the aortic valve, results in a varying number of cusps. Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common, but more rarely, unicuspid and quadricuspid aortic valves can be seen. Here, a case of a 16-year-old male with a unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve and a case of a 13-year-old female with a quadricuspid aortic valve were reported.

Biomechanical analysis of novel leaflet geometries for bioprosthetic valves

“… 7 Computational studies have previously been conducted to optimize leaflet design, but the recommended geometric adjustments have been minor. Outside of bioprosthetic valve development, studies have reported substantial biomechanical effects of congenital diseases, such as unicuspid, bicuspid, and quadricuspid aortic valves, 8 as well as with mechanical valve designs, such as monoleaflet, bileaflet, and trileaflet mechanical valves. 9 Despite this diversity, the only commercially available bioprosthetic valve geometry is the standard trileaflet design.…”