Chronic aortic root pressure-loading assessment model

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is increasingly adopted.
• Limited data exists on pressure-loading characteristics in the aortic root and annular regions during TAVR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a preclinical animal model for chronic, conscious measurement of in vivo aortic root loading.
• To assess the feasibility of using an implanted aortic root load transducer for data acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Developed a model in adult sheep using echocardiography and MRI for anatomical assessment.
• Implanted a custom aortic root load-sensing device with a transcatheter aortic valve via left apical ventriculotomy.
• Acquired serial pressure-load sensing data in conscious, post-operative animals.

Main Results:

• No operative deaths or significant postoperative complications occurred.
• Reproducible, proprietary pressure-load sensing data was obtained in conscious animals.
• The implanted device functioned successfully for chronic data collection.

Conclusions:

• The developed animal model enables successful serial pressure-load sensing assessments of the aortic root/annular areas.
• This model provides enhanced physiological understanding of aortic root anatomy and loading.
• Findings can inform future TAVR device design for potentially improved clinical outcomes.