ECHO-PHONOCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NORMALLY FUNCTIONING COOLEY-CUTTER MITRAL VALVE PROSTHESIS

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Medical Device Analysis

Background:

• The Cooley-Cutter mitral valve is a prosthetic device used in cardiac surgery.
• Quantitative assessment of prosthetic valve function is crucial for patient management.
• Echocardiography and phonocardiography are valuable tools for evaluating mechanical heart valves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish quantitative baseline echocardiographic and phonocardiographic values for normally functioning Cooley-Cutter mitral valves.
• To investigate the relationship between valve size and echo-phonocardiographic measurements.
• To identify potential alterations in valve function associated with arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of echocardiographic and phonocardiographic records from 19 patients with normally functioning Cooley-Cutter mitral valves.
• Measurement of key intervals: A(2)-OC (second heart sound to peak opening) and Q-CC (Q wave to valve closure).
• Assessment of disc opening and closing velocities and amplitude of disc excursion.

Main Results:

• Average A(2)-OC interval was 83 ± 4 msec; average Q-CC interval was 71 ± 2 msec.
• Mean opening and closing velocities were similar (396 ± 11 mm/sec and 393 ± 12 mm/sec).
• Early prosthetic valve closure was observed in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrioventricular block, leading to phonocardiographic alterations.

Conclusions:

• Established quantitative baseline values for the Cooley-Cutter mitral valve.
• Demonstrated no significant correlation between valve size and most echo-phonocardiographic measurements.
• Highlighted the impact of arrhythmias on prosthetic valve closure dynamics and assessment.