title: Fatty infiltration of an aortic valve.
abstract: Adipose tissue is a normal constituent of the heart, but not a normal anatomic finding of cardiac valves. Fatty infiltration of the aortic valve is rare, with unknown significance on valve function. We report a case of fatty infiltration and replacement of the spongiosa layer in an incompetent aortic valve. The mechanism of fat infiltration is unknown, but may be explained by differentiation of preexisting valve interstitial cells secondary to valvular injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia. graham.meredith@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Graham T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramponi
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scurry
authors.forename: Taranpreet
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000473:pathology*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
keywords: 35