ABSTRACT
Diseases of the aortic valve are intimately related to abnormalities and malformations of the valve. Aortic insufficiency has been observed to occur either by itself or in association with aortic stenosis. The majority of aortic insufficiency occurred due to rheumatic heart disease. Aortic stenosis occurs sooner in unicuspid valves, later in bicuspid valves, and finally in tricuspid valves. Congenital bicuspid aortic valves have been seen in two basic types. In one, the cusps are located right and left, the commissures are anterior and posterior, and a coronary artery arises from behind each cusp. In the other, the cusps are located anteriorly and posteriorly, the commissures are right and left, and both coronary arteries arise from the aortic root in front of the anterior cusp. Unicuspid aortic valves are uncommon, and quadricuspid valves occur rarely. Quadricuspid aortic valves have generally been associated with aortic insufficiency.
