Experimental Study of a Multiplaned Mechanical Aortic Valve Using Bovine Aorta

Abstract

A newly designed multiplaned mechanical aortic valve was created in which there would be an angle between the stents so the valve would have a greater orifice area. This study was performed to test this valve on bovine aorta to determine whether or not there would be a pressure gradient on both sides of the valve.
The valve created is multiplaned with one stent thought to be seated on the aortic annulus for the coronary orifices to receive blood in diastole, whereas the other stent is thought to be seated on the ascending aorta obliquely to increase the orifice area of the valve. The ascending aorta could be enlarged if necessary. A multiplaned valve resembling the valve which has two planes was tested on a Dacron tube, one side of which was formed with a bovine aorta. Pressure readings before and after the bovine aorta was thinned were taken when a 17 L/min flow through the tube was maintained.
A 65 mmHg mean pressure gradient and a zero pressure gradient were produced before and after thinning the bovine aorta.
The multiplaned mechanical aortic valve produces no gradient if the aorta is elastic. This valve can solve the gradient problem in aortic valve surgery because the aorta is a living and elastic tissue.