Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Since it is the Fourth of July weekend here in the United States, I thought it would be interesting to write a blog that connects the number “4″ to heart valves. That said, here goes nothin’…

In the past, we’ve discussed the unique anatomy of heart valve leaflets - the tissue flaps that open and close in the valve to ensure that blood flows in one direction through the heart. While the aortic, tricuspid and pulmonary valves typically have three leaflets (also known as heart valve flaps), the mitral valve only has two leaflets. Here is a diagram of the human heart valves illustrating this point.

We have also discussed the genetic issues which produce irregular leaflet counts. For example, congenital bicuspid aortic valves have two leaflets which can severely compromise blood flow through the heart. And, we have also learned about extraordinary, patient stories in which heart valves are unicuspid - having only one heart valve leaflet. Remember Shannon’s unicuspid heart valve discovery?

This brings me to my heart valve trivia question of the day. That question is, “Do quadricuspid heart valves - valves with four leaflets - exist?” (To find out the answer, scroll below this image of a quadricuspid heart valve… Hint! Hint!)

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Since posting a recent blog about palpitations after heart valve surgery, I’ve received several questions about atrial fibrillation, also known as A-Fib.

Most of the questions focused on “learning the basics” of this irregular heart rhythm. Luckily, I located a great, educational video which addresses the core questions about A-Fib so I posted it below.

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As we have previously discussed, heart valve disease can be genetic. In my family, it appears that a gene for congenital bicuspid aortic valve runs through our DNA.

To this point, I just came across a good, educational video about two related patients - Joanne Kennedy and her daughter, Laura. Both Joanne and Laura required heart valve surgery by Dr. Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Here is a video which details their story:

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In the past, we have discussed the genetics of heart valve disease. (So you know… I, like my Great Uncle Mooney, suffered from a congenital bicuspid aortic valve which needed to be replaced.)

On the topic of heredity and heart valve disease, a new study was just published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology which suggests that nearly a third of first-degree relatives (siblings, children or parents) of patients with a bicuspid aortic valve are likely to have enlarged aortas. This was found even in the absence of any abnormalities of the heart valve itself.

According to the study:

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