Abstract

Background: Mitral valve is the complex variable structure with 2 cusps and 2 papillary muscles which are connected by collagenous structure chordae tendineae supporting the entire free edge of the valvular cusps. Aims &
Objective: To study the morphological and morphometric analysis of chordae tendineae and to compare the morphometric measurements among cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens of south Indians and the effect of formalin in causing shrinkage of chordae tendineae. The annulopapillary distances were measured for mitral allografts. Material and Methods: The prospective study was done on 45 cadaveric and 15 autopsied heart specimens. The left atrium and left ventricle were cut open and the measurements of the Mitral valve chordae tendineae were taken using Vernier calliper and recorded. The chordae tendineae was measured from tip of papillary muscles to the edges of the cusp. The annulopapillary distance was measured from tip of papillary muscles in 2 o', 4 o', 8 o', 10 o' clock positions to that of mitral annulus. The data’s were analyzed using student’s t test to compare between the cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens.
Results: Aortic cusp chordae tendineae of both specimens were approximately same 1.6 to 1.8cm, whereas in mural and commissural cusp mild difference of 2-3mm was observed 1.5 to 1.7 cm. The annulopapillary distance was equal in both the specimens 2cm. Two heart specimens showed complete absence of commissural chordae and 6 hearts showed absence of basal chordae. Conclusion: Many studies were done on morphometry of mitral valve but the present study on morphometry of chordae tendineae of mitral valve did not show any significant changes among cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens. The data will be of great use to cardiac surgeons for surgical reconstruction of mitral valves and annulopapillary distance for mitral allografts.