A variable valve area, lumped parameter model of left ventricular filling

A variable valve lumped parameter model was developed and validated in porcine trials. The model was used to simulate ventricular and atrial pressures and flows during diastolic filling. The variable valve area model simulations provide reasonable results and take into account other considerations like venous inflow and initial valve aperture. Comparisons between model outputs and in-vivo porcine experiments suggest that the model may be used in the future to assess compliance and effective orifice area based on parameters derived from non-invasive Doppler waveforms.