Mechanism of valvular incompetence in aortic sinus dilatation

Abstract

A series of model experiments demonstrated that aortic sinus dilatation results in diastolic valvular incompetence only when compensatory valvular elongation was insufficient mechanically to effect valve coaptation. Since abnormalities of fluid dynamics were not responsible for leakage, simple restriction of the aortic root by a ligature could abort the aortic incompetence.