Morphological and Chemical Study of Pathological Deposits in Human Aortic and Mitral Valve Stenosis: A Biomineralogical Contribution

Figure 9

Chemical variability of Ca and P for three different calcified valves. The concentrations of Ca and P indicated in the histograms represent the concentrations determined in oxide-weight percent (CaO, P₂O₅) for fifteen punctual analyses (indicated as spot) taken within the same calcified deposit. Histograms showed that bicuspid aortic valves (b) were characterized by a lower content of Ca and P and by greater variations in Ca : P concentrations. In contrast, mitral (c) and tricuspid aortic valves (a) were characterized by a higher content of Ca and P and less variation in Ca and P concentration.

(a)

(b)

(c)