Weights of individual cusps in operatively-excised stenotic three-cuspid aortic valves.
We weighed each cusp separately in 260 operatively excised stenotic 3-cuspid aortic valves. All 3 cusps differed (by > 0.1 g) in weight in 69 patients (26%); all 3 cusps were similar (a < or = 0.1 g difference) in weight in 33 patients (13%); and 1 cusp differed from either of the other 2 cusps, which were similar in weight, in 158 patients (61%). The weight differences appeared to be caused by differing quantities of calcium on the aortic surfaces of the cusps.
Roberts
William C
WC
Baylor Heart & Vascular Institute and the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA. wc.roberts@baylorhealth.edu.
Ko
Jong Mi
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged