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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves
Published on: October 17, 2013
Haemodynamic Performance of Transcatheter Heart Valve in Bileaflet Mechanical Valve: An In-vitro Study
Chiara Catalano1,2, Salvatore Pasta1,2, Paul Potratz3
1Department of Engineering, Viale delle Scienze, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
Objectives:
This study evaluates the haemodynamic performance of a novel hybrid configuration-Valve-in-MHV-where a CoreValve transcatheter heart valve is implanted within the annulus of a composite valved graft after leaflet removal.
Methods:
In vitro testing was performed using left heart mock loop combined with backlight particle image velocimetry. Three configurations were assessed: (i) mechanical heart valve (MHV), (ii) CoreValve THV, and (iii) Valve-in-MHV. Flow parameters were measured at cardiac outputs of 3 and 5 L/min.
Results:
At 5 L/min, the Valve-in-MHV showed the highest PG (15.5 mmHg) and TKE (0.53 m2/s2), compared to the THV (10.9 mmHg, 0.31 m2/s2) and MHV (11.5 mmHg, 0.26 m2/s2). Effective orifice area was smallest for the Valve-in-MHV (1.44 cm2). The Valve-in-MHV generated a more physiological central jet than the MHV, but with increased turbulence and higher peak velocities (up to 2.66 m/s).
Conclusions:
Examining the mechanistic implications of Valve-in-MHV may offer valuable insights into the likelihood of adverse effects such as leaflet thrombosis and the development of pronounced pressure gradients in patients who are candidates for Valve-in-MHV.
