Rationale and design of GISSI OUTLIERS VAR Study in bicuspid aortic valve patients: prospective longitudinal, multicenter study to investigate correlation between surgical, echo distinctive features, histologic and genetic findings in phenotypically homogeneous outlier cases.
Int J Cardiol
; 199: 180-5, 2015 Nov 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26197404
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart disorder, affecting up to 2% of the population. Involvement of aortic root and ascending aorta (aneurysm or, eventually, dissection) is frequent in patients with pathologic or normal functioning BAV. Unfortunately, there are no well-known correlations between valvular and vascular diseases. In VAR protocol, with a new strategy of research, we analysemultiple aspects of BAV disease through correlation between surgical, echo, histologic and genetic findings in phenotypically homogeneous outlier cases. METHODS: VAR protocol is a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study. It observes 4 homogeneous small groups of BAV surgical patients (15 patients each): isolated aortic regurgitation, isolated ascending aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation associated with aortic aneurysm, isolated aortic stenosis in older patients (>60years). Echo analysis is extended to first-degree relatives and, in case of BAV, genetic test is performed. Patients and relatives are enrolled in 10 cardiac surgery/cardiologic centers throughout Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of the study is to identify predictors of favorable or unfavorable evolution of BAV in terms of valvular dysfunction and/or aortic aneurysm. Correlations between different features could help in identification of various BAV risk groups, rationalizing follow-up and treatment.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Aorta
/
Aortic Valve
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Phenotype
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Outliers, DRG
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Heart Valve Diseases
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Cardiol
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: