Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

A Model of Reverse Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease by Aortic Debanding in Rats
Published on: March 1, 2022
Heart failure due to "disappearing" aortic valve in hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Patrick D Loftus1, Lance K Erickson, Melanie D Everitt
1Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Abstract:
We present the unusual case of a "disappearing" aortic valve in an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (mitral and aortic stenosis) that underwent Norwood palliation at birth and subsequently a Glenn operation. Angiographic images at the time of operation showed no apparent insufficiency of the native aortic valve. Over the course of 14 months following operation, the patient developed significant cardiomegaly with a workup revealing severe native aortic valve insufficiency. Following orthotopic heart transplantation, examination of the explanted heart revealed a complete absence of native aortic valve leaflets.
Related Concept Videos
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart Failure I: Introduction

