Minimization of pressure drop across heart valve conduits: a preliminary study

Commercially available valved conduits are subject to large pressure drops in forward flow which can limit the exercise capability of recipients. However, there is considerable scope for improvement compared with valves which are mounted inside the heart, because there are fewer restrictions on flow guidance due to the constraints of size and sewing rings. Accordingly three model conduits have been tested in steady flow using a rigid body and a ball occluder. The best one is shown to have a pressure drop many times lower than a commercial conduit and several times lower than even a healthy natural valve of the same diameter. It would therefore offer a significant improvement if it could be made of a suitable material.