Description
This specimen consists of a longitudinally bisected left ventricle. The left atrium has been dissected
to expose the mitral valve and the posterior cusp of the aortic valve. The left ventricle is thickened,
measuring up to 2cm. There is patchy calcification of the aortic valve ring with thickening of the
leaflets and fusion of the ventricular and left anterior cusps at the commissure. The anterior leaflet
of the mitral valve also shows fibrosis and focal areas of calcification. The left circumflex coronary
artery has been partially opened to reveal a focus of atherosclerosis. This has reduced the lumen
of the artery to a pinpoint narrowing.
History
This elderly female was admitted to hospital in a collapsed state with a ruptured
abdominal aortic aneurysm. Surgical repair of the aneurysm was undertaken and the patient
collapsed postoperatively. Death was due to acute coronary insufficiency.