Morphometry of mitral valve

Introduction: Mitral valve lies between the left atrial and left ventricular chambers of the heart guarding unidirectional flow to the left ventricle during ventricular diastole. Dimensions of the valves and circumference of valvular openings play a crucial role in the hemodynamics of heart and in valve replacement procedures. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty formalin fixed hearts were used in the study. The circumference, cross-sectional area, length of annulus, length and height of cusps of mitral valves were measured tabulated and analyzed. Result: On analysis of the data, it was found that 55.83% of mitral valves had a circumference between 7.5 and 10 cm. The cross-sectional area of mitral valve was in the range of 5.1-7.5 cm 2 . The anterior cusp of mitral valve showed a wide range of variation in length from a minimum of 0.73 cm to the maximum of 5.71 cm. Minimum height of anterior cusp was 1.11 cm and maximum height was 3.74 cm. The posterior cusp of mitral valve also showed a wide range in length ranging from 2.15 cm to 9.31 cm. Minimum height of posterior cusp 0.61 cm and maximum height of posterior cusp was 2.55 cm. The length of accessory cusp was 2 cm or less and the height was 0.76-1.02 cm. Discussion: Morphometric study will provide base line data with reference to the severity of the reduction in valvular lumen in cases of stenosis, or in stenosis and in evaluating an operative treatment plan." Area of valves thus calculated is essential information for manufacturing prototype of prosthesis valve