Comparative study of the hydrodynamic function of the CarboMedics valve

The hydrodynamic function of each size of the CarboMedics valve was assessed in a pulsatile flow simulator. The mean pressure difference with respect to forward flow, regurgitant volumes, and total energy loss across each valve were analyzed. The results for the 23-mm aortic and 29-mm mitral CarboMedics valves were compared with those for the St. Jude Medical and Björk-Shiley Monostrut valves. Results showed good hydrodynamic function for each CarboMedics valve, although the pressure difference and total energy loss across the 19-mm aortic valve was high. The hydrodynamic function of the CarboMedics valve was comparable with that of the St. Jude Medical valve. Both valves showed similar leakage volumes, which were significantly larger than that for the Björk-Shiley Monostrut valve. On account of this the total energy loss in the Björk-Shiley valve was significantly less than that for the bileaflet valves in the aortic position. Concern remains for the continuing presence of high closed-valve regurgitation in the bileaflet valves.