Bicuspid aortic stenosis risk factors

Overview
Risk factors of bicuspid aortic valve to progress to stenosis are hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and asymmetrical leaflets.

Risk Factors
Factors affecting the rate of stenosis of bicuspid valves are not clearly defined.
 * The rate of calcification of the bicuspid aortic valve depends on:
 * Total cholesterol
 * Hypertension
 * Asymmetrical leaflet sizes as there is more pronounced hemodynamic stress, resulting from straightening and stretching of the leaflets when they are open and close
 * Sclerotic changes resulting in stenosis tend to occur at faster rate in patients with:
 * Anteroposteriorly located cusps than in those with right-left located cusps
 * Asymmetrical leaflet sizes

There are increasing evidences of heritability of bicuspid aortic valves which follows autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.