The influence of different inflow configurations on computational fluid dynamics in a novel three-leaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis

OBJECTIVES A novel mechanical heart valve was developed with a special focus on avoiding anticoagulation. Computational fluid dynamics were used for the research design. Here, the effect of different anatomical inflow geometries on flow characteristics is evaluated. METHODS Flow and pressure simulations were performed on a novel 3-leaflet mechanical heart valve in a fully open position at 2 flow rates related to the peak and end-systolic flow. The computational fluid dynamics model was designed according to 4 different (1 cylindrical, 3 conical with increasing diameter) anatomical configurations of the left ventricular outflow tract derived from an inverse heart model. RESULTS With increasing inflow diameter, the flow velocity decreased for both flow rates, from 1543 mm/s in cylindrical configuration to 1475 mm/s in conical configuration for a flow rate of 18 l/min. However, there was no further decrease for the inflow diameters 38 and 48 mm. The velocity profile became broader with increasing inflow diameter and the maximal pressure decreased. At the leading edge, velocity almost stagnated, while the pressure increased and the reflection point moved downstream. No occurrence of dead space was observed with the different configurations and flow rates. CONCLUSIONS An analysis of different anatomical inflow configurations by computational fluid dynamic simulations showed a more homogenous velocity profile and lower flow velocity values with increasing inflow diameter up to 38 mm in this novel 3-leaflet mechanical heart valve.