A 2-month-old boy is found unresponsive in his crib. He had previously been well and had a normal physical examination at his 2-month visit approximately 1 week earlier. An autopsy is performed to determine the cause of death. The pathologist concludes that the infant likely died of sudden infant death syndrome. The autopsy also shows an incidental finding of bicuspid aortic valve. If this patient had survived, he would have been at greatest risk for which of the following events?

Question

A 2-month-old boy is found unresponsive in his crib.  He had previously been well and had a normal physical examination at his 2-month visit approximately 1 week earlier.  An autopsy is performed to determine the cause of death.  The pathologist concludes that the infant likely died of sudden infant death syndrome.  The autopsy also shows an incidental finding of bicuspid aortic valve.  If this patient had survived, he would have been at greatest risk for which of the following events?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Aortic stenosis is the most common complication of bicuspid aortic valves.  Patients with bicuspid aortic valves develop clinically significant aortic stenosis on average around age 50.  In comparison, senile calcific stenosis of normal aortic valves generally becomes symptomatic age >65.

A 2-Month-Old Boy Is Found Unresponsive in His Crib