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Blood damage through a bileaflet mechanical heart valve: a quantitative computational study using a multiscale
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|July 30, 2014
Summary
This study used a novel numerical method to assess blood damage in bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHVs). Results show high platelet damage in recirculation zones and through valve gaps, not exceeding activation thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHVs) are widely used but can cause thromboembolic complications.
- Understanding blood damage mechanisms in BMHVs is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To employ a novel multiscale numerical method for assessing blood damage potential in BMHVs.
- To model realistic sized suspended platelets and analyze their damage in flow through a specific BMHV model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a validated lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) for high spatiotemporal resolution simulation.
- Simulated pulsatile flow through a 23mm St. Jude Medical Regent™ valve with thousands of suspended platelets.
- Modeled platelet damage during both systolic and diastolic phases of the cardiac cycle.
Main Results:
- No simulated platelets exceeded activation thresholds.
- Platelet damage was significantly higher in recirculation zones compared to general flow fields.
- During diastole, leakage flow through the b-datum gap caused the most substantial platelet damage.
Conclusions:
- The multiscale numerical method provides a valuable tool for evaluating blood damage in BMHVs.
- Focusing on high flow mixing regions and specific leakage pathways is essential for understanding blood damage.
- This method can be adapted for assessing blood damage in other cardiovascular devices and flow scenarios.
