Abstract

Background: With the advent of the prosthetic valves, which are being used by the cardiac surgeons to replace diseased or damaged valves, an accurate knowledge of the dimensions and size of the tricuspid valve will be of immense help. Surgical correction on the heart valves has given a new lease of life to patients. This study, so far has been done mostly on the American and European races. Studies in the Indians, particularly South Indians has been rare. Hence the present study. Materials and Methods: 96 hearts were studied which were collected from cadavers allotted to undergraduate students for dissection, over a period of time. Hearts were removed by dissection method. The circumference of the tricuspid valve was measured & the diameters of the tricuspid valve are measured in two separate dimensions in two separate perpendicularly oriented planes at the maximally separated points which is described under materials & methods. Results: The results of the study are as follows: The dimensions of the tricuspid valve annulus range from 5.7 cm – 14.8 cm. No accessory leaflets were found Conclusions: The study of the dimensions of the tricuspid valve annulus dimensions is important for various cardiac procedures. The knowledge of the annulus of the tricuspid valve is important for the cardiac surgeon in tricuspid valve diseases like stenosis and regurgitation as it will help him plan palliative or corrective surgery in the congenital or acquired heart diseases.

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