Aortic valve insufficiency/regurgitation: definition, types, causes cardiac magnetic resonance imaging BAV in a 35-year-old man. (A) Cross sectional CT reconstruction through the aortic valve plane in diastole showing an apparent single line of valve fusion (arrows) raising the possibility of a BAV. Note the heavy valvular calcification as a marker of degeneration; (B) cross sectional CT reconstruction through the aortic valve plane in systole showing an elliptical "fishmouth" opening pattern

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... keeping with a BAV. Calcification can be seen along the line of left and right cusp fusion (curved arrow). BAV, Progression from hypertrophy to diastolic heart failure. Several cardiovascular risk factors are associated with the occurrence of LV hypertrophy and structural remodeling. At the initial stage diastolic abnormalities are present with maintained systolic and diastolic function. During follow-up, systolic and diastolic dysfunction occur and are associated either systolic pump or diastolic filling failure. In the presence of congestive symptoms the time course of heart failure may become progressive and may end with sudden cardiac death or intractable end-stage failure.