P4491Noninvasive evaluation of force distribution in mitral annuloplasty rings: do rigid annuloplasty rings increase stress?

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To evaluate forces distribution, local stresses and deformation of mitral annuloplasty rings in response to annuloplasty. Methods Seguin (St. Jude Medical), Physio I (Edwards LifeScience), Memo 3D (Sorin) and Future SG (Medtronic) MAR of size 30 mm were included in the study. The study group included 4 males patients aged 52–68 years who underwent isolated mitral valve annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation. All surgeries were performed by the same experienced operator according to the standardized protocol. The mechanical properties of the similar set of MAR were evaluated under uniaxial compression by 15% in the longitudinal and transverse directions on the Testing Machines Z5.0 (Zwick/Roell). Biomechanics was assessed with MSCT. The MAR frame models at the initial state and at the ventricular ejection and atrial systole phases were obtained from DICOM-data using computer tomography Sensation Somatom 64 (Siemens). The models were compared using the innovative numerical algorithm in MatLab (Mathworks) by forming pairs for “systole – diastole”, “initial state – diastole” for all four types of MAR. We compared the mobility of the implanted devices and changes in the physiological saddle shape geometry of the mitral annulus in response to annuloplasty. We performed the quantitative analysis of the movement of each point of the reconstructed model between two states with the subsequent calculation of the required forces based on the finite element analysis. Results Future CG MAR has the greatest longitudinal and transverse stiffness (18.1N and 4.8N, respectively), whereas Memo 3D demonstrates the lowest values (2.3N and 1.5N). The rest two models show intermediate values of 4.2 - 11.3 N to 2.0 - 4.3N. The comparative analysis of MAR before and after implantation shows that Physio demonstrates the most pronounced deviations from normal physiological shape with significant annular compression along the intercommissural diameter by 1.36 mm resulted in a rounded annulus shape. None significant geometrical deformity among the other prosthetic rings. MEMO 3D demonstrates an average deformation by 0.18 mm across all zones, Seguin - 0.42 mm, Future CG - 0.34 mm. The force distribution analysis demonstrated the least forces of MEMO 3D, whereas the largest ones (up to 1.5N) are shown by Future SG, leading to the induction of locally elevated stress in surrounding tissues, potentially triggering the development of paravalvular fistulae. Conclusion Preliminary results demonstrate that the use of flexible rings with initially mobile structure allows preserving the native mitral annulus mobility after annuloplasty and reducing the stress (forces) acting on the surrounding tissues. The presented non-invasive method for estimating the stress of mitral annulus is crucial for advanced clinical practice as it allows further studying of the underlying pathologic mechanisms of developing paravalvular fistulae.