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The influence of leaflet skin friction and stiffness on the performance of bioprosthetic aortic valves

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Abstract

Leaflet skin friction and stiffness were found to have a significant influence on the systolic performance of a 19 mm diameter bioprosthetic aortic valve based on fluid–structure interaction simulations at a heart rate of 72 bpm. Four different leaflet skin friction coefficients (0.0, 9.2 × 10−4, 4.8 × 10−2 and 4.8 × 10−1) were simulated along with three different leaflet elastic moduli (3.0 × 106, 3.5 × 106, 4.0 × 106 N m−2). Higher leaflet skin friction was found to increase the magnitude of the systolic transvalvular pressure gradient and the peak velocity through the valve, as well as decrease the valve orifice area. The results for the leaflet opening and closing kinematics also showed that higher leaflet skin friction combined with higher leaflet stiffness produces longer rapid valve opening, closing and ejection times, as well as smaller valve orifice areas. These results are consistent with clinical findings for calcified aortic valves and suggest that valve performance under stenotic conditions is strongly influenced by the combined effect of increasing leaflet stiffness and surface roughness caused by calcification.

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Abbreviations

BHV:

Bioprosthetic heart valve

bpm:

Beats per minute

CPD:

Cardiac pulse duplicator

ET:

Ejection time

FE:

Finite element

FSI:

Fluid–structure interaction

rms:

Root mean square

RVC:

Rapid valve closing

RVCT:

Rapid valve closing time

RVOT:

Rapid valve opening time

STVPG:

Systolic transvalvular pressure gradient

SVC:

Slow valve closing

VOA:

Valve orifice area

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Claude Leon Foundation and the valuable insights provided by Dr. Debbie Blaine in the analysis of the FSI simulation results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1 Matieland, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7602, South Africa

    K. Dellimore, I. Kemp & C. Scheffer

  2. Division of Cardiology, Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Tygerberg, Western Cape, 7505, South Africa

    H. Weich & A. Doubell

Authors
  1. K. Dellimore
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  2. I. Kemp
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  3. C. Scheffer
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  4. H. Weich
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  5. A. Doubell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Dellimore.

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Dellimore, K., Kemp, I., Scheffer, C. et al. The influence of leaflet skin friction and stiffness on the performance of bioprosthetic aortic valves. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 36, 473–486 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-013-0230-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-013-0230-0

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