PARS-BAV

Multidisciplinary Translational Biomedics Approach to Bicuspid Aortic Valve-Related Aortopathy for the Development of New Clinical Diagnostic and Prognostic Tools

People involved:Alberto Redaelli, Emiliano Votta

Funding source: Italian Ministry of Health - Young Researchers 2009 program

Grant number: GR-2009-1580434

Funding period: 2012 - 2014

Website: www.pars-bav.org

Partners: Department of Cardio-thoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital, Naples; Biomorfological and Functional Science Department, Federico II University, Naples.

PARS-BAV is a multidisciplinary project aimed at gaining a deeper knowledge into the prognosis of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), especially in terms of aortic dilatation or aneurysm. PARS-BAV involves cardiac surgeons from the Second University of Naples, biomechanical engineers from Politecnico di Milano, and clinical biologists from "Federico II" University of Naples.

The results will be achieved by a multi-step research process:

1. assessing the possible roles of altered biomechanics of the aortic wall and hemodynamics in the ascending tract of the aorta, and the role of impaired aortic wall tissue defences against biological injury;
2. identifying relevant pathogenetic factors in the generation and progression of aortic dilatation with BAV, also in comparison with those in patients with normally formed aortic valve;
3. defining possible clinical correlates of the distinctive underlying defects and alterations involved in the development of the various forms of BAV aortopathy, in a way to define imaging and biohumoral markers having a potential for prediction and quantification of the aortic risk in the individual BAV patient.

The project (National Scientific Coordinator Dr Alessandro della Corte) is funded by the Italian Ministry of Health under the Young Researchers 2009 program.