Fluid dynamic models as a guide to determine prosthetic heart valve diameter

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Design

Background:

• Current prosthetic heart valve diameter selection relies on anatomic annulus size, neglecting dynamic physiological changes.
• Existing methods do not account for heart dimension variations due to pathology, surgical alterations, or hemodynamic improvements post-replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative method for determining prosthetic heart valve diameter.
• To base prosthesis selection on patient hemodynamic features, activity level, and prosthesis type.

Main Methods:

• Developed an analytical method to calculate the relationship between pressure drop and prosthetic valve diameter.
• Utilized a formula (delta p = apv^2/2) considering time-varying blood flow and frequency-dependent changes.
• Generated diagrams for graphical determination of the optimal valve diameter.

Main Results:

• Established a method to link hemodynamic parameters to prosthetic valve diameter.
• Provided graphical tools for precise valve size selection.
• The analytical approach offers a more personalized sizing strategy.

Conclusions:

• The proposed method offers a more accurate and individualized approach to prosthetic heart valve selection.
• This hemodynamic-based sizing can optimize valve performance and patient outcomes.
• Graphical determination facilitates practical clinical application.