Eccentric valves are commonly seen in which valve condition?

Eccentric valves are commonly seen in which valve condition?

• A. Tricuspid aortic valves
• B. Bicuspid aortic valves
• C. Mitral valve prolapse
• D. Pulmonary valve stenosis

Answer: (B)

Eccentric valves appear most with bicuspid aortic valve disease. Because the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three, its opening is asymmetric. This creates noncentral, eccentric jet flow and irregular valve motion on imaging. Tricuspid aortic valves are normal in structure, and mitral valve prolapse and pulmonary valve stenosis each produce different, more specific imaging findings that don’t emphasize an eccentric valve pattern. So the eccentric appearance is characteristic of a bicuspid aortic valve.

Eccentric valves appear most with bicuspid aortic valve disease. Because the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three, its opening is asymmetric. This creates noncentral, eccentric jet flow and irregular valve motion on imaging. Tricuspid aortic valves are normal in structure, and mitral valve prolapse and pulmonary valve stenosis each produce different, more specific imaging findings that don’t emphasize an eccentric valve pattern. So the eccentric appearance is characteristic of a bicuspid aortic valve.