Key result
In silico finite element analysis parameters successfully predicted experimental in vitro hydrodynamic parameters for tri-leaflet aortic valve implants.
Why the study?
Valve design relies on extensive in vitro testing, but few studies have explored using finite element analysis to predict critical hemodynamic performance characteristics.
Does finite element analysis predict the in vitro hydrodynamic performance of tri-leaflet aortic valve implants?
Does finite element analysis predict the in vitro hydrodynamic performance of tri-leaflet aortic valve implants?
In silico finite element analysis can reliably predict the in vitro hydrodynamic performance of aortic valve implants, potentially streamlining the design and prototyping process.
The competing structural and hemodynamic considerations in valve design generally require a large amount of in vitro hydrodynamic and durability testing during development, often resulting in inefficient “trial-and-error” prototyping. While in silico modelling through finite element analysis (FEA) has been widely used to inform valve design by optimising structural performance, few studies have exploited the potential insight FEA could provide into critical hemodynamic performance characteristics of the valve. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of FEA to predict the hydrodynamic performance of tri-leaflet aortic valve implants obtained during development through in vitro testing. Several variations of tri-leaflet aortic valves were designed and manufactured using a synthetic polymer and hydrodynamic testing carried out using a pulsatile flow rig according to ISO 5840, with bulk hydrodynamic parameters measured. In silico models were developed in tandem and suitable surrogate measures were investigated as predictors of the hydrodynamic parameters. Through regression analysis, the in silico parameters of leaflet coaptation area, geometric orifice area and opening pressure were found to be suitable indicators of experimental in vitro hydrodynamic parameters: regurgitant fraction, effective orifice area and transvalvular pressure drop performance, respectively.
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Whiting et al. (2022) studied Aortic valve implants. In silico modelling through finite element analysis (FEA) vs. In vitro hydrodynamic testing was evaluated on Prediction of hydrodynamic parameters (regurgitant fraction, effective orifice area, and transvalvular pressure drop). In silico finite element analysis parameters successfully predicted experimental in vitro hydrodynamic parameters for tri-leaflet aortic valve implants.
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