On 2D imaging, which configuration defines bicuspid or unicuspid aortic valve?

On 2D imaging, which configuration defines bicuspid or unicuspid aortic valve?

• A. Three cusps
• B. Four cusps
• C. Two cusps or one cusp
• D. One cusp with commissural fusion

Answer: (C)

On 2D imaging the aortic valve is classified by how many leaflets (cusps) you can see. A normal valve has three cusps. If only two cusps are present, the valve is bicuspid; this often results from fusion of two leaflets and may show a raphe. If only one cusp is present, the valve is unicuspid, with a single functional leaflet and a single orifice. So two cusps or one cusp best defines bicuspid or unicuspid valves. The other options describe a normal three-cusp valve, a quadricuspid valve, or a single cusp with fused commissures in a way that isn’t the standard two- or one-cusp classification.

On 2D imaging the aortic valve is classified by how many leaflets (cusps) you can see. A normal valve has three cusps. If only two cusps are present, the valve is bicuspid; this often results from fusion of two leaflets and may show a raphe. If only one cusp is present, the valve is unicuspid, with a single functional leaflet and a single orifice. So two cusps or one cusp best defines bicuspid or unicuspid valves. The other options describe a normal three-cusp valve, a quadricuspid valve, or a single cusp with fused commissures in a way that isn’t the standard two- or one-cusp classification.