Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Mar;52(1):25-33. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.25.

Gross age-related changes and diseases in human heart valves

• Gumpangseth T
• Mahakkanukrauh P
• Das S

• KMID: 2442325
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2019.52.1.25

Abstract

Cardiac valves are highly complex structures optimizing their function during the cardiac cycle. They open and close directed by blood flow under different pressure conditions in the dynamic environment in the heart. It is acknowledged that the aging process affects the structure and functions of the heart valves. With regard to morphometry, age-related changes of the heart valve can be found in valve circumference, thickness of the leaflet, luminal area at the sinotubular junction, valve diameter, orifice area, and leaflet size in circumferential and radial direction. In addition, there are differences between male and female hearts in some features. Moreover, there are studies the qualitative and quantitative assessment of histological compositions, echocardiography study to investigate the annular circumference and diameter in the human heart valves related with age. Studies into the detailed anatomy of the changes in heart valves with age are important and the correlation between valve morphology and age may be used as an age indicator. This study reviews the basic anatomical structure of the heart valves, age-related changes of valve morphometry, heart valve diseases, and general treatment of valvular diseases in humans. Detailed knowledge of the anatomical features of the morphology of the human heart valve is useful for any treatments of valve pathology.

Keyword

Tricuspid valve; Mitral valve; Pulmonary valve; Aortic valve; Age changes

MeSH Terms

Aging
Aortic Valve
Echocardiography
Female
Heart Valve Diseases
Heart Valves*
Heart*
Humans*
Male
Mitral Valve
Pathology
Phenobarbital
Pulmonary Valve
Tricuspid Valve
Phenobarbital

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Drawing of the tricuspid valve showing the morphometric measurements of valve circumference (VC), maximum height of leaflet (H), and attachment length of each leaflet (AL). APM, anterior papillary muscle; C, commissure; PPM, posterior papillary muscle; SPM, septal papillary muscle.

• 

  Fig. 2 Drawing of the mitral valve showing the morphometric measurements of valve circumference (VC), maximum height of leaflet (H), and attachment length of each leaflet (AL). APM, anterior papillary muscle; C, commissure; PPM, posterior papillary muscle.

• 

  Fig. 3 Drawing of the pulmonary valve showing the morphometric measurements of valve circumference (VC), maximum height of leaflet (H), length of leaflet (L), and length at sinotubular junction (LSJ).

• 

  Fig. 4 Drawing of the aortic valve showing the morphometric measurements of valve circumference (VC), maximum height of leaflet (H), length of leaflet (L), and length at sinotubular junction (LSJ).

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