Fluid structure computational model of simulating mitral valve motion in a contracting left ventricle

Area of Science:

• Computational fluid dynamics
• Biomedical engineering
• Cardiovascular research

Background:

• Fluid dynamics significantly impact cardiac function, particularly mitral valve (MV) leaflet motion.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for studying normal and abnormal cardiac states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D fluid-structure interaction (FSI) computational model.
• To simulate bileaflet MV dynamics interacting with blood flow in the left ventricle (LV).

Main Methods:

• A 3D FSI model incorporating anatomically based MV leaflets and LV geometry.
• Utilized hyperelastic material models for MV leaflets and LV myocardium.
• Employed Navier-Stokes equations for blood flow and the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method for mesh deformation.

Main Results:

• The model successfully reproduced physiological MV leaflet opening/closing and simulated normal and prolapsed MV states.
• Simulated blood flow patterns with prosthetic MV implantation, including outflow tract obstruction.
• A normal MV-LV model showed a 10.1% regurgitant blood flow fraction, within normal limits.

Conclusions:

• The FSI simulation approach offers valuable insights into intraventricular fluid dynamics.
• Aids in understanding cardiac function with normal/prolapsed MV and potential complications of transcatheter MV implantation.