NON-PLANAR SHAPE OF THE MITRAL ANNULUS REDUCES SYSTOLIC STRAIN ON THE POSTERIOR LEAFLET BY INCREASING LEAFLET CURVATURE

摘要

The mitral valve annulus is a dynamic structure that changes in its shape during the cardiac cycle. It changes from a flat shape during diastole to a non-planar saddle shape during systole, which has been confirmed in animals and humans using various techniques. However a teleologic reason for nature's selection of this shape and its role in mitral valve mechanics are poorly understood.