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Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice
Published on: February 14, 2017
Mitral valve opening in the ovine heart
M O Karlsson1, J R Glasson, A F Bolger
1Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Biophysics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, California 94301, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|March 5, 1998
Summary
The mitral annulus and leaflets change shape and move during the cardiac cycle. Leaflet coaptation occurs near the edges, with opening events linked to falling left ventricular pressure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cardiac Mechanics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Understanding the dynamic 3D geometry of the mitral valve is crucial for diagnosing and treating various heart conditions.
- Previous studies have provided limited insights into the complex interplay between the mitral annulus and leaflets during the cardiac cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the three-dimensional size, shape, and motion of the mitral leaflets and annulus in a live animal model.
- To correlate mitral valve dynamics with left ventricular pressure changes.
Main Methods:
- Radiopaque markers were surgically implanted on the mitral annulus and leaflets in seven sheep.
- Three-dimensional marker positions were captured using biplane videofluoroscopy (60 frames/second).
- Computer analysis was employed to reconstruct and analyze marker movement and valve geometry.
Main Results:
- The mitral annulus demonstrated maximal ellipticity in mid-diastole.
- Mitral leaflets initiated descent into the left ventricle (LV) prior to leaflet edge separation, coinciding with a rapid fall in left ventricular pressure (LVP).
- Specific leaflet curvatures were observed during systole and opening, with significant systolic separation of markers at the rough zone border (10 mm).
Conclusions:
- Mitral valve coaptation primarily occurs at the leaflet edges.
- The mitral annulus and leaflets transition towards their open configurations during the rapid decline in LVP.
- Leaflet edge separation, the final event in valve opening, occurs near the point of minimum LVP.
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