Velocity and turbulence measurements past mitrial valve prostheses in a model left ventricle

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1991

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Thrombogenesis and hemolysis have both been linked to the flow dynamics past heart valve prostheses. To learn more about the particular flow dynamics past mitral valve prostheses in the left ventricle under controlled experimental conditions, an in vitro study was performed. The experimental methods included velocity and turbulent shear stress measurements past caged-ball, tilting disc, bileaflet, and polyurethane trileaflet mitral valves in an acrylic rigid model of the left ventricle using laser Doppler anemometry. The results indicate that all four prosthetic heart valves studied create at least mildly disturbed flow fields. The effect of the left ventricular geometry on the flow development is to produce a stabilizing vortex which engulfs the entire left ventricular cavity, depending on the orientation of the valve. The measured turbulent shear stress magnitudes for all four valves did not exceed the reported value for hemolytic damage. However, the measured turbulent shear stresses were near or exceeded the critical shear stress reported in the literature for platelet lysis, a known precursor to thrombus formation. © 1991.

DOI

10.1016/0021-9290(91)90288-X

First Page

549

Last Page

562

Publication Title

Journal of Biomechanics

Comments

At the time of publication, Richard T. Schoephoerster was affiliated with Florida International University.

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