Comparative study of the function of the Abiomed polyurethane heart valve for use in left ventricular assist devices

Hydrodynamic testing of the Abiomed polyurethane trileaflet valve has been carried out to establish performance data of valve function. A Medtronic Hall tilting disk, a Carbomedics bileaflet, a Hancock II bioprosthesis and an Abiomed polyurethane trileaflet valve, all size 27 mm, underwent both pulsatile and steady-flow hydrodynamic testing. Results of the variation of pressure difference with RMS pulsatile flow and steady flow, and effective orifice area, showed that the Abiomed valve had significantly poorer opening characteristics than the tissue valve and the two mechanical valves. The Abiomed valve's performance was seen to be related to its construction and manufacture. This study highlights some of the problems associated with the design and development of synthetic trileaflet heart valve prostheses.