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Fluid dynamic characterization of a polymeric heart valve prototype (Poli-Valve) tested under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions.


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Authors

De Gaetano, Francesco 
Serrani, Marta 
Bagnoli, Paola 
Brubert, Jacob 

Abstract

PURPOSE: Only mechanical and biological heart valve prostheses are currently commercially available. The former show longer durability but require anticoagulant therapy; the latter display better fluid dynamic behavior but do not have adequate durability. New Polymeric Heart Valves (PHVs) could potentially combine the hemodynamic properties of biological valves with the durability of mechanical valves. This work presents a hydrodynamic evaluation of 2 groups of newly developed supra-annular, trileaflet prosthetic heart valves made from styrenic block copolymers (SBC): Poli-Valves. METHODS: 2 types of Poli-Valves made of SBC and differing in polystyrene fraction content were tested under continuous and pulsatile flow conditions as prescribed by ISO 5840 Standard. A pulse duplicator designed ad hoc allowed the valve prototypes to be tested at different flow rates and frequencies. Pressure and flow were recorded; pressure drops, effective orifice area (EOA), and regurgitant volume were computed to assess the behavior of the valve. RESULTS: Both types of Poli-Valves met the minimum requirements in terms of regurgitation and EOA as specified by the ISO 5840 Standard. Results were compared with 5 mechanical heart valves (MHVs) and 5 tissue heart valves (THVs), currently available on the market. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, PHVs based on styrenic block copolymers, as are Poli-Valves, can be considered a promising alternative for heart valve replacement in the near future.

Description

Keywords

Heart Valve Prosthesis, Hemodynamics, Hydrodynamics, Materials Testing, Prosthesis Design, Pulsatile Flow

Journal Title

Int J Artif Organs

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0391-3988
1724-6040

Volume Title

38

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
British Heart Foundation (None)
British Heart Foundation (SP/15/5/31548)
This work was funded by the British Heart Foundation, New Horizons grant NH/11/4/29059.