Weights of individual cusps in operatively-excised stenotic three-cuspid aortic valves

We weighed each cusp separately in 260 operatively excised stenotic 3-cuspid aortic valves. All 3 cusps differed (by > 0.1 g) in weight in 69 patients (26%); all 3 cusps were similar (a less than or equal to 0.1 g difference) in weight in 33 patients (13%); and 1 cusp differed from either of the other 2 cusps, which were similar in weight, in 158 patients (61%). The weight differences appeared to be caused by differing quantities of calcium on the aortic surfaces of the cusps. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.