Velocity fields and turbulent stresses downstream of biological and mechanical aortic valve prostheses implanted in pigs

Since detailed knowledge about velocity fields downstream of heart valve prostheses obtained from in vitro studies has not been followed up by similar detailed studies in vivo a pig model for acute velocity field studies downstream of aortic valve prostheses was established. Two mechanical and two bioprosthetic valves were studied and a dynamic three dimensional visualisation of velocity fields one diameter downstream performed under different haemodynamic conditions in a total of 22 pigs. The Ionescu-Shiley pericardial valve had velocity fields very similar to the normal native porcine aortic valve. The Edwards-Carpentier porcine valve caused a jet type flow, and the valve design of the St Jude Medical and Björk-Shiley Monostrut valves was reflected in the velocity profile. Normalised (mean(SEM)) systolic Reynolds normal stresses in the total cross sectional area were: native porcine 15(1.5) Nm−2; St Jude Medical 24(3.4) Nm−2; Björk-Shiley Monostrut 25(1.6) Nm−2; Edwards-Carpentier Supra-annular 51(6.6) Nm−2; Ionescu-Shiley Pericardial 19(2.0) Nm−2. Reynolds normal stresses were higher in areas of rapidly changing or constantly high velocity gradients.