Abstract
Prior studies have shown that in a healthy heart, there exist a large asymmetric vortex structure that aids in establishing a steady flow field in the left ventricle. However, the implantation of existing artificial heart valves at the mitral position is found to have a negative effect on this physiological flow pattern. In light of this, a novel D-shaped bileaflet porcine bioprosthesis (GD valve) has been designed based on the native geometry mitral valve, with the hypothesis that biomimicry in valve design can restore physiological left ventricle flow patterns after valve implantation. An in-vitro experiment using two dimensional particle velocimetry imaging was carried out to determine the hemodynamic performance of the new bileaflet design and then compared to that of the well-established St. Jude Epic valve which functioned as a control in the experiment. Although both valves were found to have similar Reynolds shear stress and Turbulent Kinetic Energy levels, the novel D-shape valve was found to have lower turbulence intensity and greater mean kinetic energy conservation.
Highlights
The performance of current bio-prosthesis designs have traditionally been evaluated on conventional parameters such as trans-vavular pressure drop, effective orifice area, para-valvular leakage and Reynolds shear stress levels[1]
This study proposes a new D-shape bi-leaflet bio-prosthesis (GD Valve) that has its geometry and dimensions derived from the native human mitral valve, enabling the generation of large asymmetrical clockwise vortices in the left ventricle (LV) similar to that observed in a healthy heart, resulting in lower turbulence and a conservation of kinetic energy as the incoming jet is redirected smoothly towards the outflow tract (LVOT)
The valves were evaluated based on traditional hemodynamic parameters such as Reynolds Shear Stress (RSS), Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) and Mean Kinetic Energy (MKE)
Summary
The performance of current bio-prosthesis designs have traditionally been evaluated on conventional parameters such as trans-vavular pressure drop, effective orifice area, para-valvular leakage and Reynolds shear stress levels[1]. The left ventricular flow field consists of an asymmetrical clockwise vortex structure that smoothly redirects the incoming blood from the mitral position to the left ventricular outflow tract and towards the aorta [4, 8, 9]. This physiological flow pattern minimizes kinetic energy loss due to turbulent fluctuation, conserving the energy provided by the incoming jet at peak flow[8]. It has been established that vortex formation in the left ventricle is an indicator of cardiac health[10, 11], abnormal or disturbed flow
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