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Year : 2019 Month : August Volume : 8 Issue : 32 Page : 2534-2538

Morphology of Right Atrioventricular Valve Annulus and Leaflets in Autopsy Specimens.

Raniprabha Sukumaran1, Maheswary Thampi Santhakumary2

1Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
2Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. Maheswary Thampi Santhakumary,
Email : drsmthampi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Maheswary Thampi Santhakumary,
Associate Professor,
Department of Anatomy,
Government Medical College,
Kottayam, Kerala, India.
E-mail: drsmthampi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Most tricuspid valve conditions are mechanical problems that will require surgery like valve repair and valve replacement. The proper size of the valve prosthesis and the size of the annuloplasty band are determined by the measurements of the valve annulus and leaflets. The present study is aimed to provide normal measurements of the tricuspid valve that would help cardiac surgeons in proper planning and execution of tricuspid valve surgeries.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted in 60 adult human hearts of both sexes during medico legal autopsy in the Department of Forensic Medicine, GMC Kottayam from November 2018 to April 2019. The heart specimens, free from any pathology, variation, were dissected. The diameter, circumference of the annulus and the length and height of the leaflets were measured. The range, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of each parameter were calculated.

RESULTS

In the present study, the circumference of the tricuspid valve measured 11.65+/- 1.28 cms. Diameter was recorded as 4.4 +/- 0.73 cms. The anterior leaflet was the largest in size while the posterior leaflet was the smallest. The length of the base of the leaflets was 4.59 +/- 1.15 cm, 2.86+/- 1 cms and 4.23+/- 0.94 cms for anterior, posterior and septal leaflet respectively. The mean height of the leaflets was 2.03 cms, 1.505 cms and 1.667 cms for anterior, posterior and septal leaflet respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The normal data on morphometric parameters of the tricuspid valve will help cardiovascular surgeons. It also helps in the designing and manufacture of prosthetic heart valves and annuloplasy rings.

KEY WORDS

Tricuspid Valve Complex, Annulus, Leaflets, Circumference, Diameter, Length of Leaflets, Annuloplasty, Prosthetic Valve

 

BACKGROUND

The right atrioventricular valve or tricuspid valve consists of the right atrioventricular orifice and its associated annulus, the leaflets, chordae tendineae and papillary muscles1. The Tricuspid valve is of great clinical importance in the light of progress in cardiac surgery. Most tricuspid valve conditions are mechanical problems that will eventually require surgery to reduce symptoms and the risk of complications. Tricuspid regurgitation occurs mainly from tricuspid annular dilation. It can result from left sided heart failure from myocardial or valvular causes, right ventricular volume and pressure overload or dilation of cardiac chambers.2 The current treatment strategy is to repair the dilated tricuspid annulus at the time of mitral valve surgery 3 The tricuspid valve repair or valve replacement are procedures that treat diseases affecting the valve. Annuloplasty band insertion is the repair procedure done to reduce the size of tricuspid valve annulus. The area of the anterior leaflet or the length of the base of the septal leaflet (Inter trigonal distance) may be used to determine the appropriate size of the band. The size of the valve prosthesis is determined by the diameter of the valve.4 These repair procedures help to achieve coaptation.The valve does not lie in a single plane. In a study done by Fukuda et al healthy subjects had elliptical shaped tricuspid annulus, with the posteroseptal portion being the lowest and the anteroseptal portion the highest.5 Its position and structural complexity adds to the challenges in its assessment by radiological techniques in living human beings.6 It is not possible to visualize all the cusps simultaneously in one cross sectional view by standard transthoracic two dimensional echocardiography. Most currently available annuloplasty rings are essentially planar. Therefore, an optimally shaped annuloplasty ring needs to be designed that mimics the normal structure of the annulus. Detailed study of the valve will be helpful for cardiovascular surgeons during surgical procedures. However, only very few such studies in Indian population are available in literature. The aim of the present study is to describe the morphology of leaflets, annulus by measuring the circumference, diameter of the annulus, length and height of each leaflet.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted in 60 adult human hearts of both sexes during medicolegal autopsy in the Department of Forensic Medicine, GMC Kottayam. The study period was 6 months from November 2018 to April 2019. The heart specimens from autopsies performed within 18 hours of death were included in the study. The morphology of the heart valve is not altered by putrefaction by that time. The hearts which were injured before or during autopsy, diseased, burnt or decomposed were not included in the study.

The heart specimens were cleaned and cleared of any clots within the chambers. The first incision was given from right aspect of inferior vena cava to the superior vena cava. The right atrium was opened. Then the right atrium was incised staying about 1 cm above the tricuspid valve annulus. Circumference and diameter of the valve annulus were measured. The diameter was measured from the anteroseptal commissure to the exactly opposite point of valve on the acute margin of the heart. The number of leaflets was noted.

The second incision was given along the inferior border of the heart up to the lower end of anterior interventricular groove. The third incision was given just to the right of anterior interventricular groove. The valve was then opened by cutting through the annulus at the junction of anterior and posterior leaflets. The length of each leaflet at its base and the height at its center, from free margin to base, were measured. All measurements were made by using non-stretchable black silk thread. This was subsequently straightened, and the length was measured by the metric ruler with least readability of 0.5 mm. As per Rusted et al, this measurement technique has a measurement error of no more than 0.2-0.3 mm. The observations were recorded. Photographs were taken using digital camera.

 

Statistical Analysis

After collecting the data from all the samples, data analysis was done with trial version of SPSS software. The Range, Mean, Standard Deviation & Coefficient of variation of each parameter was calculated. The results were compared with previous studies.

RESULTS

 

 

Circumference

Diameter

A L

P L

S L

A H

P H

S H

N

Valid

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

Missing

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mean

11.655

4.400

4.597

2.862

4.237

2.030

1.505

1.667

Median

11.500

4.450

4.500

2.600

4.050

2.000

1.500

1.700

Std. Deviation

1.2786

.7307

1.1519

1.0206

.9435

.5169

.6302

.5962

Range

5.3

3.8

5.8

4.3

4.5

1.9

2.2

2.2

Minimum

9.5

2.7

1.6

1.0

2.0

1.1

.5

.6

Maximum

14.8

6.5

7.4

5.3

6.5

3.0

2.7

2.8

Percentiles

25

10.500

3.850

3.713

2.025

3.600

1.525

1.000

1.125

50

11.500

4.450

4.500

2.600

4.050

2.000

1.500

1.700

75

12.500

4.675

5.300

3.500

5.000

2.475

2.000

2.100

AL –Length of anterior leaflet, A H – Height of anterior leaflet. PL- Length of posterior leaflet. PH- Height of posterior leaflet. SL- Length of septal leaflet. SH- Height of septal leaflet.

Table 1. Showing Range, Mean and Standard Deviation of  each  Parameter Measured

 

Parameter

Coefficient of Variation

Diameter of valve

16.6

Circumference of the valve

10.97

Length of anterior leaflet

25

Length of septal leaflet

22.2

Length of posterior leaflet

35.6

Height of anterior leaflet

25.4

Height of septal leaflet

35.7

Height of posterior leaflet

41.8

Table 2. Showing Coefficient of Variation of each Parameter

Expressed as a Percentage (%).

 

DISCUSSION

It is axiomatic that a thorough knowledge of valvar anatomy is a prerequisite for successful surgery, be it valvar replacement or reconstruction. All the components of the valvar complex must work in harmony so as to achieve valvar competence.7 The right atrioventricular valve anatomy including its annulus, three leaflets or cusps, chordal apparatus and papillary muscles is unique to each individual.The Tricuspid annulus is a collagenous ring succeeding the orifice. The bases of the leaflets are attached to the annulus. It is composed of a pair of curved,tapered subendocardial tendons known as fila coronaria which extend from the right fibrous trigone component of central fibrous body. They partly encircle the circumference of the valve. Inferolaterally, the tips of the fila are connected by more tenuous, deformable fibroblastic sulcal aroelar tissue.8

Traditionally the valve has been described as having three leaflets; anterior, inferior/ posterior, and septal separated by three major commissures. The leaflets are arranged to lie against the three walls of the right ventricle; anterior, inferior and septal respectively. The commissures are named as the anteroseptal, postero septal and anteroposterior commissures. The edges and ventricular surfaces of the leaflets receive the attachments of chordae tendineae arising from the apex of papillary muscles. Fan shaped chordae are attached to the commissures. Usually the large anterior papillary muscle is connected by chordae to anterior and posterior cusps. A small posterior papillary muscle is attached to posterior and septal cusps. Several small septal papillary muscles join the septal and anterior cusps.9

 

  1. 1.       Circumference

In the present study, the mean circumference of tricuspid valve was found to be 11.65cm. The tricuspid valve orifice is best seen from the atrial aspect. It is somewhat oval or circular in outline, depending upon the phase of the cardiac cycle. It measures on an average 11.4 cm in circumference in males and 10.8 cm in females. It is oriented almost vertically making an angle of 450 with the sagittal plane. The orifice faces downwards forwards and to the left towards the ventricular apex.10

 

Circumference

(cm)

Present study

Westaby11

Kalyani12

Motabagani 13

Silver14

Antoniali15

Skwarek16

 

10.3-12.9

10.6-13

9.6-11.8

11.8-13.9

10.3-12.5

9.2-11.7

8.9-12.2

Table: 1 Showing Circumference of Tricuspid Valve from the Present Study and some Previous Studies

 

  1. 2.       Diameter

Diameter of the valve was found to be 4.4 +/_ 0.73 cm in our study. In the study done by Westaby et al the overall diameter of 3.64 +/- 0.44cm.11 SairanenH, LouhimoI et al17 and Anwar18 et al have reported that the Tricuspid annular diameter and dimensions of the valve orifice closely correlated with age,body weight, height and body surface area. This partly explains the smaller Tricuspid valve and its dimensions in shorter and smaller sized individuals.

 

  1. 3.       Length of leaflets

Length (cm)

Present Study

Kalyani12

Motabagani13

Silver14

Anterior cusp

3.4-5.7

3.94-5.1

4-4.7

3.1-4.7

Septal cusp

3.2-5

3.35-4.1

2.99-3.65

2.9-4.5

Posterior cusp

1.8-3.89

2.65-3

2.64-3.2

2.9-4.5

Table 2. Showing Length of Leaflets of Tricuspid Valve from Present Study and Some Previous Studies

 

In our study, the anterior leaflet of the Tricuspid valve was the largest in length,the posterior leaflet was the smallest in length. Most of the studies in literature mention that the anterior cusp is the largest in length. The values obtained for the mean length of anterior cusp, septal cusp and posterior cusp were 4.597cm, 4.237cm and 2.86cm respectively. The attachments of the valve leaflets to the annulus are at different levels.. The highest part is at the anteroseptal commissure near the midpoint of the membranous interventricular septum.. From the highest point the attachment of the anterior leaflet gradually slopes down to the anteroposterior commissure. The attachments of both the posterior leaflet and the posteroseptal half of the septal leaflet are roughly horizontal and about 15mm lower than the highest part of the valve`s attachment. From about the midpoint of the septal leaflet, the attachment angles upwards at about 300 from the horizontal to reach the anteroseptal commissure.14

 

  1. 4.       Height of Leaflets

Height (cm)

Present Study

Silver14

Aarti Rohilla19

Anterior cusp

1.5-2.54

2-2.8

1.68-2.16

Septal cusp

1.07-2.26

1.4-2

1.23-1.82

Posterior cusp

0.87-2.13

1.5-2.1

1.33-1.9

Table 3. Showing Height of Leaflets of Tricuspid Valve from Present Study and Some Previous Studies

 

The maximum average height measured in the present study for anterior leaflet. The minimum was for posterior cusp. The mean height of anterior cusp, septal cusp, and posterior cusp were 2.03cm, 1.667cm and 1.505 respectively. The annulus of the tricuspid valve is thinner and more difficult to identify during surgery than that of mitral valve. Cardiovascular surgeons must take care while suturing the annulus to avoid iatrogenic injury to AV node, AV nodal artery, membraneous septum and Bundle of His. AV node lies in the atrial septum bordering the septal leaflet, Membranous interventricular septum lies beneath the septal leaflet inferior to anteroseptal commissure. Bundle of His penetrates the right trigone under the membanous septum approximately 5mm inferior to the anteroseptal commissure. Non coronary cusp of aortic valve also lies near the anteroseptal commissure. The right coronary artery runs anterior to the anterior leaflet annulus and may be injured by deep sutures in the annulus.20

The most common indication for surgical intervention on the Tricuspid valve is functional or secondary Tricuspid regurgitation. That means regurgitation developing in patients with normal tricuspid valve leaflets as a result of right ventricular dysfunction and tricuspid annular dilation. It occurs frequently in patients with advanced Mitral valve disease and Pulmonary hypertension.21 Pulmonary hypertension leads to elevation of right ventricular systolic and diastolic pressures, ventricular cavity enlargement and annular dilation. Rheumatic fever continues to be the most common cause of organic Tricuspid valve disease.22 Rheumatic tricuspid involvement typically co-exists with mitral or aortic valve disease.23 The circumference of the tricuspid annulus lengthens primarily along the attachments of the anterior and posterior leaflets.24 The posterior annulus of the tricuspid valve is the only structurally unsupported area of the valve annulus, making this area particularly susceptible to dilatation and subsequent tricuspid regurgitation. In bicuspidization sutures are put to obliterate the annular segment corresponding to the posterior leaflet. The septal leaflet portion on the other hand, is fixed between the right and left trigones and the atrial and ventricular septa preventing its lengthening.25 Because of this, tricuspid annular sizing algorithms have been based on the dimension of the base of the septal leaflet.26 As annular dilation progress, the chordal papillary muscle complex becomes functionally shortened, although it remains normal in appearance. This prevents leaflet coaptation and leads to valvular incompetence.

Previously it was thought that functional tricuspid regurgitation decreases or even disappears after surgical correction of left sided valve disease.27 However, further studies show that functional TR may progress even after left sided surgery. The current approach is to perform an annuloplasty in patients with dilated annulus or >mild TR.28 The 2006 American Heart Association valve guidelines recommend tricuspid valve repair for patients with a transverse annular diameter (Measured between AS and PS commissures) of 70mm. According to Sellke and Ruel, tricuspid annular diameter 50mm or more is to be repaired even when there is no associated TR, in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.4

Annuloplasty involves the tightening of the annulus by implanting an artificial ring. According to Grover and Mack, the proper size of the Tricuspid valve ring is detemined by the size of the anterior leaflet of the valve and the amount of tethering of the leaflet.29According to Sellke and Ruel, the area of the anterior leaflet or the length of the base of the septal leaflet may be used to determine the appropriate size of the annuloplasty ring.4 Tricuspid rings are designed with an opening that corresponds to the region of the atrioventricular node to minimize the chance of incurring damage to the conducting system during surgery. The ring size is determined by the length of the fibrous septal annulus between commissures along the septal leaflet, with a goal of slight undersizing.30 According to David, Luca et al a sizer is used to measure the area of the septal leaflet to allow the selection of the ring.20 When the severity of the valvular distortion prevents a satisfactory repair procedure, valve replacement becomes necessary. As in Mitral valve replacement, the prosthesis size is selected based on the diameter of the A-V ring sizing the anterior leaflet. The size of the ventricular cavity is also noted.30

List of Abbreviations

A-V– Atrioventricular, AL- Length of anterior leaflet. PL- Length of posterior leaflet. SL- Length of septal leaflet. AH- Height of anterior leaflet. PH- Height of posterior leaflet. SH- Height of septal leaflet, TR– Tricuspid regurgitation, AS- Anteroseptal, PS– Posteroseptal

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that the data derived from our study would help in better understanding the anatomy of the tricuspid valve complex in south Indian population. It would serve as a baseline data for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons in assessing the severity of tricuspid pathology, in planning appropriate surgery and in designing prosthetic heart valves of proper size.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank Dr. Shana Baby, post graduate student in Anatomy for her timely help during the study.

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