Volume 38, Issue 3 pp. 504-505
IMAGE

Imaging a unicuspid aortic valve with transillumination

Alessandro Malagoli MD

Corresponding Author

Alessandro Malagoli MD

Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

Correspondence

Alessandro Malagoli, Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy.

Email: [email protected]

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Alessandro Albini MD

Alessandro Albini MD

Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Policlinic University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Luca Baldini MD

Luca Baldini MD

Radiology Unit, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Laura Grassi MD

Laura Grassi MD

Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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Stefano Tondi MD

Stefano Tondi MD

Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

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First published: 21 February 2021
Citations: 1

Abstract

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare congenital malformation which portends an augmented risk of early valve degeneration. Timely detection of this cardiac valvular anomaly is crucial because a strict follow-up is warranted. Currently, the best morphological information is provided by two-dimensional echocardiography; however, its diagnostic performance has been found to be suboptimal by some anatomical features, making it tough to distinguish between UAV and bicuspid aortic valve. Transillumination is a photo-realism technique that employs the use of a virtual light source that simulates the interaction of light on 3-dimensional surfaces, improving the visualization of morphological characteristics. Our report highlights the incremental value of photo-realistic rendering and lighting source technology to better define the aortic valve morphology.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None declared.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

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