Tricuspid valve morphometry - In cadaveric study

Background: The tricuspid valve is situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle. This valve prevents back flow of blood from the right ventricle to right atrium. For cardiovascular surgeons, the morphometry of tricuspid valve is of clinical importance. Aim: To study the tricuspid valve morphometry in cadavers. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 120 adult human hearts, whose age was ranging from 21 to 66 years, as decomposition or putrefaction might occur during medico-legal post-mortem examination which was performed within nineteen hours of death so that the morphology and morphometry of the heart was not altered. From the total number 30 hearts had accessory leaflets and scallops in tricuspid valve. Results: : The weight of heart (g), circumference of tricuspid valve (mm), attachment length of leaflets and commissures (mm), height of three leaflets (mm) were the parameters which were studied. Between the circumference of tricuspid valve with the weight of heart, attachments lengths of leaflets and the three commissures and leaflets height, a direct correlation was observed. Conclusion: This study can be used as an important tool in anthropological studies, which was performed to improve analysis of the morphometric parameters of tricuspid valve and to correlate the various parameters and which further helped the cardiac surgeons and forensic experts to understand the anatomy of the tricuspid valve complex and appropriate design of valvular complex for transplantation.