Abstract

Background:The mitral valve (MV) is a complex structure that is altered in various disease status. Mitral valve closure prevents systolic backflow of blood from the left ventricle into atrium, which depends on the co-ordinated action of left atrium, mitral valve leaflets, annulus, chordae, papillary muscles and the left ventricular wall. Alteration in the structure and function of any of these elements lead to mitral valve incompetence. Purpose of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the morphological and the morphometric variations of mitral valve. The present study has classified mitral valve based on the number of mitral valve leaflets/cusps and also measured the size and area of mitral orifice and mitral annulus circumference. Methods:Present study included 50 human hearts from the cadavers in the department of Anatomy at Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences. Circumference, annular diameter, area of the valve, height of the anterior leaflet and height of the posterior leaflet was measured. Results:In this study annular circumference ranged between 6.8 to11.5 cm and 64% of the circumference ranged between 8.1 to 10 cm. Annular diameter ranged between 2 to 3.6 cm and 58% of diameter ranged between 2.6 to 3 cm.Height of the anterior leaflet ranged between 1 to 2.5 cm and 54% ranged between 1.6 to 2 cm. Height of the posterior leaflet ranged between 0.5 to 1.5 cm and 70% ranged between0.5to 1cm. Conclusion:Although the most commonly described mitral valve is bicuspid, in the present study 3 cusps were found in 4% of the specimens. Improper cusp approximation may cause cardio vascular problems. Morphometric measurements of the mitral valve will help in finding the correct size of the prosthesis for the valve replacement which will accurately fix in the valve orifice.

Authors and Affiliations