Alterations in Intracardiac Flow Patterns Affect Mitral Leaflets Dynamics in a Model of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

This study was to evaluate the effects of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) on vortex formation and leaflet dynamics using an established porcine infarct model of IMR.

Using direct coronary ligation, five animals were subjected to a posterolateral myocardial infarction (MI) followed by an MRI at 12-weeks post MI. MR imaging consisted of 4D time-resolved left ventricular (LV) flow, full coverage 2D LV cine, and high resolution 2D cine of mitral valve dynamics. Five additional naïve animals underwent identical imaging protocols to serve as controls. Image analysis was performed to obtain mitral transvalvular flows as well as LV volumes throughout the cardiac cycle. In addition, anterior to posterior mid-leaflet tip distances were measured throughout the cardiac cycle for determination of temporal leaflet dynamics.

It was found IMR caused asymmetric vortex ring formation with the anterior vortex having a lower vorticity relative to its posterior counterpart. In contrast, normal ventricles create symmetric and tightly curled vortices in the basal chamber just underneath the mitral leaflets which conserve kinetic energy and aid in effective ejection. IMR animals were also evaluated for leaflet separation and were found to have a greater leaflet opening and achieved peak vorticity and peak leaflet opening later than control animals.

In conclusion, this study shows the effects that altered vortex formation, due to IMR, can have on ventricular filling and leaflet dynamics. These findings have important implications for understanding blood flow through the dilated heart and how ring annuloplasty and volume reduction interventions may influence mitral valve dynamics.