Modeling predicts a connection between sinus vortex effects and aortic compliance

We submit this letter in order to clarify some methodological issues and concerns raised by Spronck et al. (2015) related to our mathematical modeling of aortic valve dynamics during systole Aboelkassem et al. (2015). It is important to note at the outset that these clarifications do not impact the simulation output or conclusions we originally reported in that paper. However, Spronck et al. have led us to recognize some unfortunate omissions and minor typographical errors in the methods portion of our report that, once corrected, will allow others to more easily reproduce and understand our results.