INTRODUCTION:
Prior studies have suggested an increased prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (ICA) in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) and thoracic ascending aortic aneurysms (TAA). We tested the hypothesis that if true, conversely, the prevalence of BAV and TAA should be increased in patients with ICA.
METHODS:
We identified and reviewed the clinical records of patients treated for an ICA at our institution between 2002 and 2011. Only those with an echocardiogram report in their clinical record were included for further analysis. The prevalence of BAV and TAA in this cohort was determined based on the echocardiogram reports, medical records, and, when available, cross-sectional chest imaging. Proportion confidence intervals were calculated and compared to population prevalence estimates.
RESULTS:
Of 1051 patients with ICA, 321 had available echocardiogram reports that included assessment of the aortic valve. Of these, 85 also had cross-sectional chest imaging. Of the 321 patients, 2 were reported to have a BAV (0.6%, 95% CI 0 - 2.5%), similar to population prevalence estimates for this condition. In this same cohort, there were 15 (4.7%, 95% CI 2.7 - 7.8%) patients with a TAA. Among the 85 patients with cross-sectional chest imaging, the prevalence of TAA exceeded that expected for a community age- and gender-matched population (see Figure, gray lines represent upper and lower limits of normal).
CONCLUSIONS:
This retrospective analysis suggests an increased prevalence of TAA, but not BAV, in patients with ICA.
Bicuspid aortic valves and thoracic aortic aneurysms in patients with intracranial aneurysms
