The benefits of the Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy website for the design of cardiac devices.

This paper describes how the Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy website can be used to improve cardiac device design throughout the process of development. The Atlas is a free-access website featuring novel images of both functional and fixed human cardiac anatomy from over 250 human heart specimens. This website provides numerous educational tutorials on anatomy, physiology and various imaging modalities.

Novel imaging of atrial septal defects in isolated human hearts.

Within the adult population living with congenital heart defects, approximately 20 % have an atrial septal defect, which suggests that only 0.4-0.05 % of the entire adult population has an atrial septal defect (ASD).

The clinical anatomy and pathology of the human atrioventricular valves: implications for repair or replacement.

A critical understanding of cardiac anatomy is essential for design engineers and clinicians with the intent of developing and/or employing improved or novel technologies or therapies for treating an impaired atrioventricular valve. Likewise, such knowledge is required for directing translational research, including initiating preclinical research, assessing the feasibility of clinical trials, and performing first-in-man procedures. There are two atrioventricular valves in the human heart, namely the tricuspid and mitral valves.

The clinical anatomy and pathology of the human arterial valves: implications for repair or replacement.

A thorough understanding of valvar anatomy is essential for design engineers and clinicians in the development and/or employment of improved technologies or therapies for treating valvar pathologies. There are two arterial valves in the human heart--pulmonary and aortic valves. Both are complex structures whose normal anatomical components can vary greatly between individuals.

Edge-to-edge repairs of P2 prolapsed mitral valves in isolated swine hearts.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to determine if mitral stenosis occurred after edge-to-edge (E2E) repair of P2 mitral valve prolapse.

Methods: Six swine hearts were reanimated and videoscopes placed to view the mitral valve from the left atrium and left ventricle. Image analyses provided measures of the valve annulus area, orifice area, and regurgitant area.

Mitral leaflet anatomy revisited.

Objective: The aims of this work were to employ functional imaging capabilities of the Visible Heart laboratory and endoscopic visualization of mitral valves in perfusion-fixed specimens to better characterize variability in mitral valve leaflet anatomy and to provide a method to classify mitral leaflets that varies from the current nomenclature.

Methods: We gathered functional endoscopic video footage (11 isolated reanimated human hearts) and static endoscopic anatomical images (38 perfusion-fixed specimens) of mitral leaflets. Commissure and cleft locations were charted using Carpentier's accepted description.

Venous valves within left ventricular coronary veins.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize venous valves within the major left ventricular (LV) veins of human hearts.

Methods: Fiberscope cameras were inserted into the coronary sinus and were manipulated to major LV coronary veins of perfusion fixed human hearts (n = 26). Observed venous valves were categorized by type and location and compared among the major LV veins.