Fig. 3

Schematic representations of normal and abnormal aortic jet angles (between the centerline and the direction of the velocity vector). a A normal jet angle (≈ 0°), with normally functioning tricuspid aortic valve: the green arrow, representing the velocity vector, is perfectly aligned with the light blue line, representing the geometric centerline of the aorta. b Abnormal jet angle (≠ 0˚), with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV): the velocity vector is misaligned with the aorta centerline. c Velocity vectors at the level of the aortic annulus with a normal flow jet angle: the vectors are generally aligned to the (light blue) centerline. d Velocity vectors at the level of the aortic annulus with abnormal flow jet angle: the vectors are generally pointed away from the centerline and thus are directed towards the aortic wall