True or False: Mitral Valve Replacements Have Only Two Leaflets
Are you ready for some interesting trivia about heart valve replacements?
The mitral valve is the only human heart valve that is bicuspid. Bicuspid means the valve has only two leaflets. Alternatively, each of the other heart valves (aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid) have three distinct valve leaflets - also known as heart valve flaps. Please see the top-side view of the human heart diagram below.
In light of this information, my true/false quiz to you is, “Mitral valve replacements have only two leaflets to best mimic the genetic and evolutionary design of the mitral valve.”
So… What do you think? Is that statement true or false?
I hate to be a trickster but the answer to that question is:
It depends.
- On one hand, the statement is true. There are certain mechanical valve replacements that are designed with two swiveling leaflets used to manage the flow of blood through the heart. You can see an example of the On-X mitral valve replacement below.
- On the other hand, the statement is false. There are several tissue valve replacements that use three leaflets to enhance the flow of blood through the heart. Below you can a picture of an Edwards pericardial tissue valve - also knows as a cow valve replacement.
I hope this blog helped you learn more about about mitral valve replacements and mitral valve leaflets.
Keep on tickin!
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Adam, I just had aortic valve replacement on Nov 17, 08, and was told by the surgeon that I had 4 leaflets to my aortic valve and this was congenital. Amazing heh? Obviously, some werent working properly. Jean Karloski
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Whoa Jean!
Four leaflets in your aortic valve?
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a quadruple leaflet valve.
Amazing how are bodies can evolve and transform.
Keep on tickin!
Adam