Abstract
Summary
The valve-like action of a simple segment of aorta leading from the left atrium into the cavity of the left ventricle has been demonstrated. Orthograde flow from a reservoir of saline through the aortic tube into the left ventricle has been shown to occur in the living animal. No regurgitation has been observed. This observation has been documented by means of pressure determinations obtained within the portion of aorta lying in the left ventricle and that in the left atrium. An average systolic pressure of 104 mm Hg was observed in the ventricular portion and an average mean pressure of 12 mm Hg in the atrial portion. This demonstration of orthograde flow during diastole without retrograde flow during ventricular systole is felt to constitute evidence of an effective valve-like action.
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