48. Case Report: Critical Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis Complicating Pregnancy – Vanderbilt University

CardioNerds (Amit & Dan)  join Vanderbilt University cardiology fellows (Tara Holder, Majd El-Harasis, and Amar Parikh) for a Sunday morning brunch, Nashville style! They discuss an enthralling case of bicuspid aortic valve with critical aortic stenosis complicating pregnancy. Program director Dr. Julie Damp provides the E-CPR and a message for applicants. Episode notes were developed by Johns Hopkins internal medicine resident Tommy Das with mentorship from University of Maryland cardiology fellow Karan Desai. 

Jump to: Patient summary - Case figures & media - Case teaching - Educational video - References - Production team

Episode graphic by Dr. Carine Hamo

The CardioNerds Cardiology Case Reports series shines light on the hidden curriculum of medical storytelling. We learn together while discussing fascinating cases in this fun, engaging, and educational format. Each episode ends with an “Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review” (E-CPR) for a nuanced teaching from a content expert. We truly believe that hearing about a patient is the singular theme that unifies everyone at every level, from the student to the professor emeritus.

We are teaming up with the ACC FIT Section to use the #CNCR episodes to showcase CV education across the country in the era of virtual recruitment. As part of the recruitment series, each episode features fellows from a given program discussing and teaching about an interesting case as well as sharing what makes their hearts flutter about their fellowship training. The case discussion is followed by both an E-CPR segment and a message from the program director.

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Patient Summary

A 22yo transgender F2M man (G1P0000) at 32w5d was found to have a late-peaking systolic ejection murmur on a regularly scheduled OB visit. He reported recent left-sided exertional chest pain and intermittent lightheadedness, as well as a history of a childhood heart murmur. TTE showed a bicuspid aortic valve (LCC-NCC fusion) with severe aortic stenosis (peak velocity 4.83 m/s, mean gradient of 56 mmHg, AVA at 0.5 cm2 and Dimensionless Index at 0.15). Furthermore, there was preserved ejection fraction and no associated aortopathy.   

Following a syncopal episode, the patient was admitted for cardiac optimization prior to delivery. With shared decision making, he ultimately delivered via cesarean section prior to valvular intervention. Post-partum, he underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty with improvement in mean aortic gradient to 27 mmHg and trace aortic insufficiency. He was asymptomatic at 5 months post-procedure with similar gradients across the aortic valve on TTE.   

Case Media

Chest - X ray Final gradients: Peak velocity 4.83 m/s Mean >50 (56) mmHg AVA 0.5 (AVAi=0.27) DOI=0.15

https://youtu.be/YF8TrNmsGh4

Episode Schematics & Teaching

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The CardioNerds 5! – 5 major takeaways from the #CNCR case

Hemodynamics change dramatically during pregnancy. Cardiac output increases by 30-50% during pregnancy due to: ↑ SV, ↑HR, ↓SVR.  Immediately post-partum, patients with existing valvular lesions are at high risk of heart failure! Hemodynamic changes peripartum are unpredictable.  ↑Preload: relief of IVC compression, auto-transfusion of 300-500mL blood from placenta with each uterine contraction, and intravenous fluids and/or blood products. ↓Preload: hemorrhage ↑Afterload: SBP & DBP increase with each uterine contraction ↓Afterload: systemic vasodilation from epidural and spinal analgesia ↑CO: by up to 30% in the first stage of labor and up to 80% in the immediate post-partum period. 2/2 ↑SV. Most pregnant patients with symptomatic AS can be managed medically,