THE EFFECT OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ON TRICUSPID VALVE COAPTATION IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC VALVE GEOMETRIES: AN IN VITRO STUDY

摘要

Though anterior CA showed no independent changes due to the higher pressures, alterations to TV annular area and PM positions did cause the anterior leaflet to extend across the valve orifice, reducing anterior CA. The impact of the geometric changes on anterior CA seems to be smaller at higher mPAP, as the decrease in CA resulting from geometric changes is balanced by increased pressure forcing the leaflets together. This suggests that alterations in TV function may be due more to geometric alterations associated with RV dilatation rather than directly to an increase in pressure.