Thoracic Key

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…

The great majority of valvular diseases with diastolic-restricted leaflet motion have a rheumatic origin. The limitation of the motion of the leaflets is due to commissural fusion, leaflet thickening, chordae…

Normal mitral valve function implies that the free edge of the leaflets remains at the same level and 5 to 10 mm below the plane of the orifice during systole…