**3.2 Bicuspid aortic valve**

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is present in 1–2% of the population; almost 40% also have thoracic aortic dilatation at the time of presentation [18].

While the inheritance of BAV is not clearly defined, gene sequence defects leading to aortopathy is more prevalent in this population [19]. Degenerative changes in the tunica media with reduced elastin increases risk of dissection these patients [20, 21].
