Development of a fluid-structure interaction model to simulate mitral valve malcoaptation

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition in which the mitral valve does not prevent the reversal of blood flow from the left ventricle into the left atrium. This study aimed at numerically developing a model to mimic MR and poor leaflet coaptation and also comparing the performance of a normal mitral valve to that of the MR conditions at different gap junctions of 1, 3 and 5 mm between the anterior and posterior leaflets.

The results revealed no blood flow to the left ventricle when a gap between the leaflets was 0 mm. However, MR increased this blood flow, with increases in the velocity and pressure within the atrium. However, the pressure within the aorta did not vary meaningfully (ranging from 22 kPa for a 'healthy' model to 25 kPa for severe MR).

The findings from this study have implications not only for understanding the changes in pressure and velocity as a result of MR in the ventricle, atrium or aorta, but also for the development of a computational model suitable for clinical translation when diagnosing and determining treatment for MR.