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0011575 Imperforate tricuspid valve

synonym

Unopened tricuspid valve

comment

Imperforate valve is distinct from atretic valve. The hallmark of an imperforate valve is that it provides potential communication between an atrium and a ventricle. It exists as fused valve leaflets usually possessing their own hypoplastic tensor apparatus. The presence of an imperforate valve may have important surgical implications. Imperforate valve is in contrast to atretic valve with an absent atrioventricular connection. The cornerstone of the diagnosis of an imperformate valve is the identification of a thin mobile membrane between an atrium and a ventrile and the recognition of the tensor apparatus of the valve. In most cases the tensor apparatusis hypoplastic and it maynot be possible to delineate it by echocardiography.