Thoracic Key

Mitral valvular malformations are rare, diverse, and complex. They are often associated with other cardiac or great vessel anomalies that may hide or be hidden by the valvular malformation. They…

Reconstruction of the tricuspid valve should be guided by the same basic principles described for the mitral valve—that is, preserving or restoring normal leaflet motion, ensuring a large surface of…

The aortic valve is one component of the aortic root, which connects the left ventricular outflow tract to the ascending aorta. The function of the aortic root is to guide…

Several repair techniques have been described to correct aortic valve dysfunction. In contrast to mitral valve repair techniques, few of them have become the gold standard because of the unpredictability…

The tricuspid valve is part of a complex functional system that also includes the right atrium, the right ventricle, and the pulmonary circulation. With the tricuspid valve exposed, the surgeon…

The same diseases that affect the mitral and tricuspid valves may also affect the aortic valve. According to the pathophysiological triad ( Table 21-1 ), a clear distinction should be…

The pathophysiological triad introduced for the mitral valve ( Chapter 6 ) is also relevant to the other valves, including the tricuspid valve. It provides an accurate description of the…

Patients undergoing mitral valve reconstruction often require additional procedures to address the following associated disorders: left atrial thrombus formation, atrial calcification, giant left atrium, and atrial fibrillation. LEFT ATRIAL THROMBUS…

The term “Systolic Anterior Motion” (SAM) defines a systolic displacement of the distal portion of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve towards the outflow tract of the left ventricle…

The most important functional characteristic of type IIIb dysfunction, compared to type IIIa, is a pure systolic restricted leaflet motion with preserved leaflet pliability. The most common causes of this…