[Instantaneous blood flow velocity profiles before and after aortic valve replacement (author's transl)]

In 17 patients the instantaneous velocity profile was recorded before and after aortic valve replacement (Starr-Edwards, Björk-Shiley, Lillehei-Kaster). A single gated pulsed Doppler Ultrasonic flownmeter was used for analysis. Distal of these valves a flat flow profile was recorded showing high velocity gradients near the walls. As a main cause of this, numerous eddies and turbulent flow have been suggested. Downstream of a Starr valve a flat profile appears with a slowing down of forward flow just behind the ball. The disk valves Lillehei-Kaster and Björk-Shiley demonstrated a higher flow velocity in direction to the larger opening. The "in vivo" studies have been supported by "in vitro" measurements. The highest flow velocities were above 100 cm/sec and thus, according to Reynolds definition, in the turbulent range. The turbulent flow produces a washing effect, which is emphasized during the cardiac cycle. The importance of these data can be discussed by clinical results only.