Bicuspid aortic valve

A bicuspid aortic valve is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three. The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart. An abnormal aortic valve develops during the early weeks of pregnancy, when the baby's heart develops.

Update Date: 7/26/2011

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Kurt R. Schumacher, MD, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (4/30/2011).

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