Finite Element Analysis to Study Percutaneous Heart Valves

Percutaneous valve implantation is an innovative, successful alternative to open-heart surgery for the treatment of both pulmonary and aortic heart valve dysfunction (Bonhoeffer et al., 2000; Cribier et al., 2002; Leon et al., 2011; Lurz et al., 2008; McElhinney DB et al., 2010; Rodes-Cabau et al., 2010; Smith et al., 2011; Vahanian et al., 2008). However, this minimallyinvasive procedure still presents limitations related to device design: stent fracture, availability to a limited group of patients with very specific anatomy and conditions, and positioning and anchoring issues (Delgado et al., 2010; Nordmeyer et al., 2007; Schievano et al., 2007a). Computational simulations (Taylor & Figueroa, 2009), together with advanced cardiovascular imaging techniques can be used to help understand these limitations in order to guide the optimisation process for new device designs, to improve the success of percutaneous valve implantation, and ultimately to broaden the range of patients who could benefit from these procedures.