Regurgitant flow field characteristics of the St. Jude bileaflet mechanical heart valve under physiologic pulsatile flow using particle image velocimetry

摘要: The regurgitant flow fields of clinically used mechanical heart valves have been traditionally studied in vitro using visualization, ultrasound techniques, and laser Doppler velocimetry under steady pulsatile flow. Detailed investigation the forward these can elucidate a valve's propensity for blood element damage, thrombus formation, or cavitation. Advances particle image (PIV) allowed its use study prosthetic valves. Unlike other field diagnostic systems, recent work PIV has able to relate particular characteristics Bjork-Shiley Monostrut valve In this study, St. Jude Medical bileaflet was assessed physiologic conditions. Data collected at selected time points prior after closure demonstrated typical jet patterns associated with valve, indicated formation strong jet, B-datum plane, along twin vortices near leaflets. Estimated ensemble-average viscous shear rates suggested little potential hemolysis when hinge jets collided. However, vortex motion occluder tips potentially provides low-pressure environment