[Quantitative-morphological studies of the heart of MINI-LEWE minature swine. 2: Atrioventricular and semilunar valves].

Reference is made to the possible use of cardiac valves of animal origin as heteroplastic material in cardiac valve surgery. In that context, quantitative studies were conducted into all four cardiac valves. The data measured from clinically intact animals exhibited wide scatter. Different numbers of leaflets (between two and six) were recorded from atrioventricular valves, whereas three valvulae were always found on the semilunar valves. The volume of the tricuspid valve was significantly higher than that of the mitral valve, and among the semilunar valves bigger size was established for the aortic valve. Valve size grew along with body weight, as established by correlative analysis. The data measured by the examiners were compared with variables reported in literature.