. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Feb 21.

Published in final edited form as: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 Aug;156(2):473–480. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2017.10.161

TABLE 2.

Recommendations for interval monitoring imaging of the aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valve

Recommendation	Class/LOE
Interval imaging should be performed with the same imaging technique and measurement method, and compared side-by-side with previous study by an expert in that imaging technique.	I/C^6,13,18
Interval aorta imaging recommendations apply to patients with native BAV and those who have undergone AVR, given that aorta complications may occur in patients with BAV postsurgery.	I/B^17,21
In patients with normal initial aortic diameters by TTE, the thoracic aorta should be reimaged every 3 to 5 y.	I/C^13,15
In patients with initial aortic dilatation (root or tubular ascending aorta measure 40–49 mm), the thoracic aorta should be reimaged at 12 mo. If stability is confirmed, then reimaging can be performed every 2 or 3 y.	I/C^6,13,15,16
In patients with more advanced initial aortic dilatation (root or tubular ascending aorta 50–54 mm), the thoracic aorta should be reimaged at least every 12 mo (yearly).	I/C^6,13,15
If thoracic aortic dilation (≥45 mm) noted by TEE is not reproduciblewith CTA or MRA (ie, >2-mmdifference between modalities), then interval imaging follow-up should be performed with MRA or CTA.	I/C^13,18

LOE, Level of evidence; BAV, bicuspid aortic valve; AVR, aortic valve replacement; TTE, transthoracic echocardiography; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography; CTA, computed tomography angiography; MRA, magnetic resonance angiography.