Abstract
Objective: This study examines the gross anatomical features of the pulmonary and aortic valves in human cadavers. Method: One hundred human cadaveric hearts were studied by dissection over a period of three years. The diameters and other dimensions of the pulmonary and aortic valves were recorded and their areas computed. The hearts were also examined for the presence of any anomalies. Results: Out of 100 specimens studied, only one heart had bicuspid pulmonary valves (BPv) with normal aortic valves. There was no calcification or thickening in and around the valves. There were no other signs of any pathology arising out of this condition. There was an increase in the diameter and area of the pulmonary trunk in the heart with BPv and no significant difference in the dimensions of the aorta as compared with those in the normal hearts. Conclusion: Bicuspid pulmonary valve may remain undetected during life. It may be an incidental finding during routine doppler echocardiography or autopsy. Cardiologists and pathologists may need to be aware of the fact that not all cases of bicuspid pulmonary valve present with symptoms, unless it is complicated by superimposed cardiac or extracardiac diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 223-225 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | International Medical Journal |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Congenital valve anomaly
- Pulmonary valve
- Variant semilunar valve
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)