Hemodynamic Effects of the Orientation of a Bi-leaflet Mechanical Heart Valve Implanted in an Anatomic Aorta

Abstract

We perform high-resolution fluid/structure interaction simulations of a bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve implanted in an anatomic aorta with different orientations. The anatomic aorta geometry is obtained from MRI of an actual patient and is discretized with a body-fitted curvilinear mesh. The valve’s leaflets and housing are placed as immersed boundaries in the aorta grid. A physiologic plug inflow waveform with peak Reynolds number of 6000, based on inlet diameter and peak bulk flow velocity, is prescribed at the inlet. The orientation of valve implanted in the anatomic aorta can affect the hemodynamics. We will compare the hemodynamics of each orientation in terms of valve leaflet kinematics, flow patterns, and shear stress distributions.