Which statement best describes how bicuspid or unicuspid valves are identified on 2D imaging?

Which statement best describes how bicuspid or unicuspid valves are identified on 2D imaging?

• A. Three cusps on 2D imaging
• B. No cusps on 2D imaging
• C. Two cusps or one cusp on 2D imaging
• D. Four cusps on 2D imaging

Answer: (C)

On 2D echocardiography, you identify bicuspid or unicuspid valves by counting the number of cusps seen in the valve orifice. A bicuspid valve appears as two cusps, due to fusion of a pair of leaflets, while a unicuspid valve appears as a single cusp. This single imaging plane shows two cusps for bicuspid and one cusp for unicuspid, making these counts the most direct way to describe the valve morphology. Note that perfect alignment matters—occasionally oblique views can make cusps appear fewer, so using multiple views helps confirm the finding.

On 2D echocardiography, you identify bicuspid or unicuspid valves by counting the number of cusps seen in the valve orifice. A bicuspid valve appears as two cusps, due to fusion of a pair of leaflets, while a unicuspid valve appears as a single cusp. This single imaging plane shows two cusps for bicuspid and one cusp for unicuspid, making these counts the most direct way to describe the valve morphology. Note that perfect alignment matters—occasionally oblique views can make cusps appear fewer, so using multiple views helps confirm the finding.