The Effect of Mitral Valve Prostheses Design and Orientation on Left Ventricular Flow during Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

The mitral valve affects the shape and timing of incoming flow to left ventricle heart, establishing a strong central jet that generates vortex ring conserves momentum during cardiac cycle. When is disrupted, regions stasis are introduced increase blood residence time risk thrombus formation. This increased when multiple medical devices combined, as occurs in fraction patients with prostheses experience heart failure receive treatment ventricular assist device (LVAD). LVADs attached directly apex ventricle, continuously pumping from into ascending aorta. While ameliorate symptoms failure, they associated thromboembolic events result disrupted flow. In this study, six different prosthesis designs/orientations were studied combination LVAD support mock circulatory loop. Hemodynamics intraventricular velocity field measured characteristics determined. bioprosthetic produced standard pattern dominant clockwise circulated within before exiting through LVAD. tilting disk exhibited skewed inflow reverse oriented towards septum, which greatly time. bileaflet valves split two streams directed but weaker vortices than bioprosthesis. results inform surgical planning for preexisting prostheses, enabling concomitant repair procedures would decrease events.