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Figure 3 Two-dimensional imaging of the aortic valve by echocardiography. The valves were imaged in the parasternal long-axis (left panels) and short-axis (right panels) views. In control animals (control), the aortic valve is a thin, barely visible structure. In cholesterol-fed animals with vitamin D (Chol+Vit D2), the aortic leaflets become thickened and hyperechogenic. The valve area is reduced, as shown by the decreased opening of the valve in systole. Valve opening was traced over this echocardiographic image only as a visual aid to the reader and was not used to calculate aortic valve area.
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