Simulation of Mechanical Heart Valve Dysfunction and the Non-Newtonian Blood Model Approach.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Computational Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Mechanical heart valves (MHVs) are crucial for treating cardiovascular diseases.
• Nonphysiological hemodynamics in MHVs can lead to hemolysis, platelet activation, and thromboembolism.
• Thromboembolism poses risks of severe complications and valve dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review simulations of physical quantities in healthy and dysfunctional MHVs.
• To analyze non-Newtonian blood flow characteristics within MHVs.
• To highlight the impact of MHV dysfunction on hemodynamic simulations.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of numerical studies on MHV hemodynamics.
• Analysis of physical quantities: velocity distribution, vortex formation, shear stress.
• Evaluation of non-Newtonian blood flow models (shear-thinning viscosity).

Main Results:

• MHV dysfunction significantly alters simulation results, increasing pressure gradients and shear stress.
• Blood flow patterns exhibit recirculation and stagnation zones with increasing dysfunction.
• Non-Newtonian, shear-thinning blood viscosity is critical in MHV simulations due to complex valve structures.

Conclusions:

• MHV dysfunction exacerbates risks of hemolysis and platelet activation.
• Accurate MHV simulations necessitate incorporating non-Newtonian and viscoelastic blood properties.
• Further research is needed for more complete and realistic blood flow modeling in MHVs.