Aortic Valve

Anatomy

The normal aortic valve consists of three equally sized valve cusps (in English "cusps"), namely the right coronary cusp (R), the left coronary cusp (L) and the non-coronary cusp (N).

With 2D echocardiography, the valve can be assessed in the Plax, where one sees the RCC and the NCC. In a normal aortic tricuspid valve closure line is then between the RCC and NCC is usually in the center of the aortic valve ring. Better one sees the aortic valve in the PSAXao However, where the three cusps in systole almost form a circle and diastole in an inverted Mercedes-Benz logo. Assessing the number of cusps is done in systole, because the valve is open, because in the closed position can be seen as a raphe purse line. With 3D echocardiography is now also wonderful to images. Off the aortic valve

3D (TEE) view of the aortic valve to exclude vegetations

Aortic valve variants (Plax ao)

Tricuspid (normal) bicuspid   Quadricuspide Unicuspide