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Rapid Deployment Aortic Valves Deliver Superior Hemodynamic Performance In Vitro
Lisong Ai1, Harvey Chen, Virginia Lin
1From the *Edwards Lifesciences Corp, Irvine, CA USA; and †Guys St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Innovations (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|October 13, 2017
Summary
The EDWARDS INTUITY valve demonstrated superior hemodynamic performance compared to the Edwards Magna Ease valve in an in vitro aortic root model. This rapid deployment valve offers improved effective orifice area and reduced transvalvular pressure gradient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Rapid deployment aortic valves show promise, but direct hemodynamic comparisons with conventional bioprosthetic valves are limited.
- Understanding comparative valve performance is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes in aortic stenosis treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vitro hemodynamic function of the EDWARDS INTUITY rapid deployment aortic valve with the conventional Edwards Magna Ease valve.
- To evaluate the influence of aortic root geometry on valve performance.
Main Methods:
- An elastomeric aortic root model was created from patient CT scans, scaled to a 21-mm annulus diameter.
- EDWARDS INTUITY and Edwards Magna Ease valves (21-mm) were implanted in the model.
- Hemodynamic parameters, including effective orifice area and transvalvular pressure gradient, were measured under pulsatile flow.
Main Results:
- The EDWARDS INTUITY valve exhibited a significantly greater effective orifice area (1.85 vs 1.56 cm²) and a lower transvalvular pressure gradient (16.8 vs 23.4 mm Hg) compared to the Edwards Magna Ease valve.
- Left ventricular outflow tract area index and ellipticity index explained 93% of the variation in effective orifice area and pressure gradient.
Conclusions:
- A clinically relevant aortic root model was successfully developed for evaluating aortic valve hemodynamics.
- The EDWARDS INTUITY valve's superior performance is attributed to its larger inflow area and promotion of a more circular left ventricular outflow tract.
