08/25/2025
This case involves a 61-year-old woman with a bicuspid aortic valveโa congenital abnormality affecting ~2% of the population. Instead of the normal three leaflets, her valve has two, leading to severe calcific stenosis and an associated dilation of the ascending aorta (aortopathy).
The surgical plan:
โญ๏ธAortic valve replacement (bioprosthetic)
โญ๏ธAscending aortic replacement with a Dacron graft
โญ๏ธPatent foramen ovale (PFO) closure through bicaval cannulation
This combined procedure not only restores valve function and prevents aneurysmal rupture, but also closes a potential shunt that can cause embolic complications.
