Final answer:
The detection of a congenital bicuspid aortic valve varies widely, as it can occur anytime from childhood to adulthood, typically through auscultation and confirmed by echocardiography.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve are typically discovered at various ages, often depending on the severity of the condition and the presence of symptoms. Unlike more severe congenital conditions such as Tetralogy of Fallot, which is commonly identified shortly after birth due to symptoms like cyanosis, a bicuspid aortic valve may not cause noticeable symptoms until later in life. The condition is often first detected through auscultation, where a characteristic heart murmur may be heard. If the murmur is detected, echocardiography is typically used to confirm the diagnosis. As this condition can range from silent to symptomatic, detection can occur in childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood.