This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

R. Randolph Bradham, MD; Edward F. Parker, MD; William B. Greene

AMA Arch Surg. 1973;106(2):210-213.

Abstract
The mitral and tricuspid valves of the mammalian heart have been investigated to determine whether lymphatic channels are present in the leaflets. Extracorporeal circulation and atriotomy were used in 32 animal experiments. India ink was injected into the leaflets. The leaflets were examined with light and electron microscopes. A second phase consisted of obstruction of the efferent cardiac lymphatics and after an interval of 7 to 45 days, similar examination of the valve leaflets was done.

Lymphatic channels in the valve leaflets could not be demonstrated grossly or by light microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed some very small channels which had the characteristics of lymphatic capillaries. The importance of cardiac lymphatics as possibly related to disease states is discussed.

Author Affiliations
Charleston, SC

From the Department of Surgery, Roper Hospital and the Department of Pathology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 2, 1972.

Reprint requests to Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Roper Hospital, 316 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401 (Dr. Bradham).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati     What's this?