Treatment:

The infant may need surgery to repair a leaky or narrowed valve, if complications are severe.

A narrowed valve can also be opened through cardiac catheterization. A fine tube (catheter) is directed to the heart and into the narrow opening of the aortic valve. A balloon attached to the end of the tube is inflated, to make the opening of the valve larger.

Critically ill babies with a severely narrowed valve may need medications. These medications improve the baby's condition so that either surgery or a balloon procedure is possible.

Medications may include:

• Drugs that make the heart muscle pump harder (inotropic agents)
• "Water pills" (diuretics)

See also: Pediatric heart surgery

Expectations (prognosis):

How well the baby does depends on whether complications of bicuspid aortic valve are present, and how severe they are.

The presence of other physical problems at birth also can affect how well a baby does.

Most babies with this condition have no symptoms, and the problem is not diagnosed until they are adults. Some people never find out that they have this problem.

Complications:

Complications of bicuspid aortic valve include:

• Congestive heart failure
• Leakage of blood through the valve back into the heart
• Narrowing of the valve's opening

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your baby:

• Has no appetite
• Has unusually pale or bluish skin
• Seems to tire easily