Title

The Influence Of The Aortic Root Geometry On Flow Characteristics Of A Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve

Keywords

Aortic Root Sinuses; Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve; Blood Damage; Platelet Activation; Reynolds Shear Stresses; Stenosis

Abstract

Bileaflet mechanical heart valves have one of the most successful valve designs for more than 30 years. These valves are often used for aortic valve replacement, where the geometry of the aortic root sinuses may vary due to valvular disease and affect valve performance. Common geometrical sinus changes may be due to valve stenosis and insufficiency. In the current study, the effect of these geometrical changes on the mean flow and velocity fluctuations downstream of the valve and aortic sinuses were investigated. The study focused on the fully-open leaflet position where blood velocities are close to their maximum. Simulation results were validated using previous experimental laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements. Results showed that as the stenosis and insufficiency increased there were more flow separation and increased local mean velocity downstream of the leaflets. In addition, the detected elevated velocity fluctuations were associated with higher Reynolds shear stresses levels, which may increase the chances of blood damage and platelet activation and may lead to increased risk of blood clot formation.

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Publication Title

Proceedings of the Thermal and Fluids Engineering Summer Conference

Volume

2018-March

Number of Pages

1159-1165

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1615/TFEC2018.bio.021666

Socpus ID

85056132470 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85056132470

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