Bicuspid aortic stenosis laboratory tests

Overview
Laboratory tests such as lipid profile, BNP levels and blood studies help in assessing the progress and outcomes of bicuspid aortic stenosis.

Laboratory Tests

 * As hypercholesterolemia is one of the risk factors that accelerates the stenotic process via calcification, serum cholesterol levels should be tested which could aid in recommending dietary modifications or medications.
 * Total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or fasting lipid panel should be measured in children over 3 years of age.
 * Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may accelerate sclerosis of the bicuspid aortic valve.
 * Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may aid in assessing the cardiac function of patients with asymptomatic severe bicuspid aortic stenosis. . Rising levels of BNP predicts the need for valve surgery in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. It may also provide important prognostic information on postoperative outcomes.
 * Complete blood count with peripheral smear may reveal hemolytic anemia with schistocytes secondary to mechanical trauma to RBCs from calcified bicuspid valves.