Symptomatic unicuspid aortic valve

A 22-year-old man with typical angina was seeking medical attention at primary health clinics for a couple of months. Owing to his young age and the absence of coronary artery disease risk factors, he was assured of no serious problem. Proper examination at a referral centre revealed weak peripheral pulses with diminished and delayed carotid upstroke. A normal S1 with a soft S2 were audible. A 3/6 late peaking systolic murmur was best heard in the aortic area radiating to the neck. Symptomatic bicuspid aortic valve disease was suspected. Diagnosis of unicuspid aortic valve was established by transoesophageal and three-dimensional echocardiography. The valve was successfully replaced with a mechanical prosthesis. The patient remains asymptomatic at 1 year follow-up.