Author(s)

D. Palmieri, G. Vezzani, F. Lagasco & S. Pascale

Abstract

A fully automated numerical procedure has been implemented to enable 3D modelling of the physical behaviour of blood flow through an implanted Mechanical Heart Valve (MHV). For this purpose, a specifically developed Valve Cycle Program was coupled with a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver to implement a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model. A complete opening-closing cycle has been simulated by imposing physiological boundary conditions. A parallel laboratory circulatory mock-loop hosting a MHV has been manufactured to carry out experimental Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) flow measurements. The predicted flow characteristics were found to be in good agreement with experimental observations. Both numerical and experimental results confirmed that flow patterns and associated shear stresses downstream of the valve result in a low thrombosis and haemolysis potential. Keywords: heart valve, CFD, Fluid-Structure Interaction, PIV. 1 Introduction Since the first successful implantation of a prosthetic heart valve four decades ago, over 50 different designs have been developed including both mechanical and bioprosthetic valves. Today, with over 200,000 implants worldwide each year, the most widely implanted design is the mechanical bileaflet prosthesis [1]. However, MHV implants suffer from complications resulting from thrombus deposition and patients implanted with these valves need to withstand long-term anti-coagulant therapy. Such complications are thought to be caused by high

Keywords

heart valve, CFD, Fluid-Structure Interaction, PIV.