Previously conducted studies and research had indicated, people with aortic valve disorder have higher mortality rate. But with the advancement in medicinal technology, these patients have a similar life span as those with a normal heart. 

These patients have a bicuspid aortic valve which means their valve has only two flaps (cusps) that open and close, instead of the normal three. It is also the most common disease that inflicts the adult population. 

The researchers conducted study on cardiac outcomes and disease progression in 642 patients, with an average age of 35. Over an average period of 9 years, the researchers found that 161 of the patients (25 percent) had one or more primary cardiac events: cardiac-related death, 17 patients; intervention on the aortic valve or ascending aorta (first section of the aorta), 142 patients; aortic tearing or aneurysm, 11 patients; or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization, 16 patients. 

It was also found that the death rate of aortic valve disorder patients was not much higher than the general population. The five- and 10-year survival rates for those in the bicuspid aortic valve group, were 97 percent and 96 percent, compared with 97 percent and 97 percent in the general population. 

The findings have been published in the Sept. 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.