Search

Evaluate the relations between aortic and mitral rings.One hundred hearts were studied, in 84% men, 61% white and 85% were between 11 and 40 years old. The commissure between non coronary/left coronary sinus in the aortic ring and the middle point between anterior (AT) and posterior trigone (PT) in the mitral ring were used as references. When these points were coincident the position was middle; when the aortic point (AP) was closer the PT the position was posterior and when the AP was closer the AT the position was anterior or much anterior.Forty seven (47%) showed middle position, twenty seven (27%) much anterior, twenty two (22%) anterior and only four (4%) posterior. These aren't related to sex and age. The hearts of black people showed more posterior position than the others.Variations in aortic/mitral rings relations may be observed in normal hearts.

Development of method used to fix hearts in a reduced time, with preservation of their structures and characteristics.Fifty normal human hearts were fixed in a system with four reservoirs, a roller pump, PVC tubes and a plastic recipient. This system was used to maintain the continuous injection by pressure of formaldehyde solution, to the interior of the heart.The fixation was satisfactory, pré-fixation time (13.93 +/- 5.13 min) and fixation time (60.53 +/- 12.50 min) were reduced related to previously utilized methods.The method was good, with decrease of fixation time and obtention of fixed hearts, with preservation of their structures and characteristics.