HEART HEMODYNAMICS AND PHYSICAL WORK CAPACITY IN CHILDREN WITH BICUSPID AORTIC VALVE

Introduction. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of most widespread congenital heart anomaly with populational prevalence of 1–2%. Asymptomatic course during the childhood and serious heart complications in adults testifies the actuality and prognostic value of early diagnostics in affected children. In the same time, minor cardiovascular changes in early stage of the disease could significantly influence on BAV patients physical work capacity.

Purpose of the study is the detection of physical work capacity level in children with bicuspid aortic valve using PWC170 test and establishing interrelations with basic ultrasound parameters of intracardiac hemodynaics.

Materials and methods. 20 children with BAV were diagnosed by dopplerechography and 36 healthy patients of control group were conducted the modified PWC170 test, pre test mean blood pressure (MBP) measured and correlation analysis of PWC170 and MBP with ultrasound heart hemodymamics parameters were studied.

Results and discussion. It was found that children with BAV had a significant increase in peak pressure gradient and blood flow velocity at the aortic valve, decreased exercise tolerance with a relatively elevated MBP, established the relationship of MBP with PWC170 and the absence of correlations with volumetric parameters of the left ventricle that were preserved in children of the control group.

Conclusions. Determination of exercise tolerance with the PWC170 test in children with a bicuspid aortic valve of the heart allows to detect early functional disorders in the myocardium of these patients and to plan appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures.