Dilatation of the ascending aorta in bicuspid aortic valve disease: a magnetic resonance imaging study

Background Bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) is increasingly recognized as a disease of the entire proximal aorta including both valvular and vascular complications. The aim of our study was to assess the dimensions of the thoracic aorta using MRI in a broad spectrum of BAV and tricuspid aortic valve disease (TAV) and to define the prevalence of the dilatation of the ascending aorta (AA) ≥4.5 cm in severe BAV disease.