S. Jarrett Wrenn1, Monica Sigovan1, Michael Hope1
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
Bicuspid aortic valve is a relatively common congenital anomaly and is associated with ascending aortic aneurysm. 4D Flow MRI has previously demonstrated unique systolic flow patterns in bicuspid valve patients. Here we examined ascending aorta growth rates in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and in tricuspid aortic valve controls, who were all studied with 4D Flow MRI. Abnormal flow patterns, assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively, correlated with more rapid ascending aortic growth. This suggests that 4D Flow MRI could be used to risk stratify bicuspid aortic valve patients with regards to the development of ascending aortic aneurysm.