Comparison of Hemodynamic Performance, Three-Dimensional Flow Fields, and Turbulence Levels for Three Different Heart Valves at Three Different Hemodynamic Conditions

The hemodynamic performance of different prosthetic heart valves is difficult to compare among studies due to a variety of test conditions and experimental techniques. Existing studies are typically limited to one family of valves (biological or mechanical) and testing conditions of 5l/min and often lack sufficient spatial resolution. To address these limitations, a pulse duplicator with a multi-view imaging system (Tomo-PIV) was employed to investigate the three-dimensional flow field in the aortic root of three different valves: a tri-leaflet mechanical heart valve (TRIFLO, Novostia), a bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve (On-X, Artivion), and a biological heart valve (Perimount, Edwards Lifesciences). The valves were tested at low (3 l/min), normal (5 l/min), and elevated (7 l/min) cardiac output \((CO)\) under hypotensive (40/60mmHg), normotensive (80/120mmHg), and moderate hypertensive (105/170mmHg) pressure conditions, respectively. Compared to the Perimount, peak mean velocity was − 33%, − 24%, − 18% for the TRIFLO and − 32%, − 20%, − 11% for the On-X at low, moderate, and elevated \(CO\), respectively. Corresponding peak \(TKE\) values decreased by − 66%, − 57%, − 44% (TRIFLO) and − 60%, − 50%, − 36% (On-X). At low \(CO\), \(EOA\) was lower for Perimount (1.07cm²) than for TRIFLO (1.47cm²) and On-X (1.52cm²), while it increased for elevated \(CO\) to 2.75cm² (TRIFLO) and 2.16cm² (Perimount and On-X). For all valves, increasing \(CO\) led to increased flow velocities, higher \(EOA,\) and higher levels of turbulence, and the spatial influence of the valve on the flow field in the ascending aorta was extended. \(TKE\) peaked closer to the STJ than for TRIFLO and Perimount.