Journal of Nippon Medical School = Nippon Ika Daigaku zasshi
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The incidence and the distribution of blood vessels were examined in normal and abnormal mitral valve leaflets. ⋯ At the ring area, normal mitral valve leaflets were supplied with nutrition from blood vessels that mainly extended from the left atrium with myocardial tissues. In RVD, the vessels branched from previously existing capillaries, extending to the distal area, and increased in number. Mechanical stress during opening and closing of the leaflets contributes to the arterialization of these vessels. In FMV, the number of capillaries, which is smaller than in normal valves, might be related to the progression of this disorder. In HIE with valvular disease, the number of vessels is related to the preexisting disease.