Cavitation Dynamics of Medtronic Hall Mechanical Heart Valve Prosthesis: Fluid Squeezing Effect

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Lee ◽  
K. B. Chandran ◽  
L. D. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Vapor Pressure ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Valve Prosthesis ◽  
Pressure Reduction ◽  
Local Flow

The cause of cavitation in mechanical heart valves is investigated with Medtronic Hall tilting disk valves in an in vitro flow system simulating the closing event in the mitral position. Recordings of pressure wave forms and photographs in the vicinity of the inflow surface of the valve are attempted under controlled transvalvular loading rates averaged during valve closing period. The results revealed presence of a local flow field with a very high velocity around the seat stop of mechanical heart valves that could induce pressure reduction below liquid vapor pressure and a cloud of cavitation bubbles. The analysis of the results indicates that the “fluid squeezing” between the stop and occluder as the main cause of cavitation in Medtronic Hall valves. The threshold loading rate for cavitation initiation around the stop was found to be very low (300 and 400 mmHg/s; half the predicted normal human loading rate that was estimated to be 750 mmHg/s) because even a mild impact created a high speed local flow field on the occluder surface that could induce pressure reduction below vapor pressure. The present study suggests that mechanical heart valves with stops at the edge of major orifice region are more vulnerable to cavitation, and hence, have higher potential for damage on valve components and formed elements in blood.

Argatroban and bivalirudin compared to unfractionated heparin in preventing thrombus formation on mechanical heart valves

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (06) ◽  
pp. 1163-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Linde ◽  
Thomas Michel ◽  
Kathrin Hamilton ◽  
Ulrich Steinseifer ◽  
Ivar Friedrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Unfractionated Heparin ◽  
Continuous Infusion ◽  
Valve Replacement ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Valve Prostheses

SummaryPrevention of valve thrombosis in patients after prosthetic mechanical heart valve replacement and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is still an open issue. The aim of the present in-vitro study was to investigate the efficacy of argatroban and bivalirudin in comparison to unfractionated heparin (UFH) in preventing thrombus formation on mechanical heart valves. Blood (230 ml) from healthy young male volunteers was anticoagulated either by UFH, argatroban bolus, argatroban bolus plus continuous infusion, bivalirudin bolus, or bivalirudin bolus plus continuous infusion. Valve prostheses were placed in a newly developed in-vitro thrombosis tester and exposed to the anticoagulated blood samples. To quantify the thrombi, electron microscopy was performed, and each valve was weighed before and after the experiment. Mean thrombus weight in group 1 (UFH) was 117 + 93 mg, in group 2 (argatroban bolus) 722 + 428 mg, in group 3 (bivalirudin bolus) 758 + 323 mg, in group 4 (argatroban bolus plus continuous infusion) 162 + 98 mg, and in group 5 (bivalirudin bolus plus continuous infusion) 166 + 141 mg (p-value <0.001). Electron microscopy showed increased rates of thrombus formation in groups 2 and 3. Argatroban and bivalirudin were as effective as UFH in preventing thrombus formation on valve prostheses in our in-vitro investigation when they were administered continuously. We hypothesise that continuous infusion of argatroban or bivalirudin are optimal treatment options for patients with HIT after mechanical heart valve replacement for adapting oral to parenteral anticoagulation or vice versa.

scholarly journals Visualization of the Cavitation Bubbles on the Mechanical Heart Valves using High-speed Cameras

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (1Supplement) ◽  
pp. 293-294
Author(s):  
Koki TAKIURA ◽  
Tsuneo CHINZEI ◽  
Yusuke ABE ◽  
Takashi ISOYAMA ◽  
Itsuro SAITO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Cavitation Bubbles

scholarly journals Statistical Characteristics of Flow Field through Open and Semi-Closed Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-196
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Voskoboinyk ◽  
Lidiia Tereshchenko ◽  
Vladimir Voskoboinick ◽  
Gabriela Fernandez ◽  
Andrey Voskoboinick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Jet Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve

The formation of thrombi on the streamlined surface of the bileaflet mechanical heart valves is one of the main disadvantages of such valves. Thrombi block the valve leaflets and disrupt the cardiovascular system. Diagnosis of thrombosis of the bileaflet mechanical heart valves is relevant and requires the creation of effective diagnostic tools. Hydroacoustic registration of the heart noise is one of the methods for diagnosing the operation of a mechanical heart valve. The purpose of the research is to determine the statistical characteristics of the vortex and jet flow through the open and semi-closed bileaflet mechanical heart valve, to identify hydroacoustic differences and diagnostic signs to determine the operating conditions of the valve. Experimental studies were conducted in laboratory conditions on a model of the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart between which there was the bileaflet mechanical heart valve. Hydrodynamic noise was recorded by miniature pressure sensors, which were located downstream of the valve. The vortex and jet flow behind the prosthetic heart valve were non-linear, random processes and were analyzed using the methods of mathematical statistics and probability theory. The integral and spectral characteristics of the pressure field were obtained and the differences in the noise levels and their spectral components near the central and side jets for the open and semi-closed mitral valve were established. It was shown that hydroacoustic measurements could be an effective basis for developing diagnostic equipment for monitoring the bileaflet mechanical heart valve operation. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2020-0204-1 Full Text: PDF

Effect of Blood Pressure on Closing Dynamics of Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valves

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio H. Forleo ◽  
Brennan M. Johnson ◽  
Lakshmi P. Dasi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Valve ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Thromboembolic Complications ◽  
Stress Gradients ◽  
Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Sharp Stress ◽  
Rigid Design

Implantation of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve (BMHV) continues to be associated with a risk of thromboembolic complications despite anti-coagulation therapy1. This has been attributed to the structurally rigid design of the leaflets and valve mechanics combined with an intricate hinge mechanism for the rigid leaflets. The lack of a built in compliance within the valve mechanics presumably leads to sharp stress gradients within the flow as well as a violent closure of the valve often associated with the audible impact of the leaflets to the housing, and a potential for momentary cavitation of blood in the wake of leaflet impact.

Factor Xa Inhibitors for Patients after Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gerfer ◽  
Maria Grandoch ◽  
Thorsten C.W. Wahlers ◽  
Elmar W. Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Factor Xa Inhibitors ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Number Of Patients

AbstractPatients with a mechanical heart valve need a lifelong anticoagulation due to the increased risk of valve thrombosis and thrombo-embolism. Currently, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are the only approved class of oral anticoagulants, but relevant interactions and side effects lead to a large number of patients not achieving the optimal therapeutic target international normalized ration (INR). Therefore, steady measurements of the INR are imperative to ensure potent anticoagulation within a distinctive range. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with newer agents could serve as a possible alternative to VKAs in this patient cohort. DOACs are approved for several indications, e.g., atrial fibrillation (AF). They only have a minor interaction potential, which is why monitoring is not needed. Thereby, DOACs improve the livability of patients in need of chronical anticoagulation compared with VKAs. In contrast to dual platelet inhibition using aspirin in combination with an ADP receptor antagonist and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran, the oral factor Xa inhibitors apixaban and rivaroxaban show promising results according to current evidence. In small-scale studies, factor Xa inhibitors were able to prevent thrombosis and thrombo-embolic events in patients with mechanical heart valves. Finally, DOACs seem to represent a feasible treatment option in patients with mechanical heart valves, but further studies are needed to evaluate clinical safety. In addition to the ongoing PROACT Xa trial with apixaban in patients after aortic On-X valve implantation, studies in an all-comer collective with rivaroxaban could be promising.

scholarly journals Mechanical heart valves and pregnancy: Issues surrounding anticoagulation. Experience from two obstetric cardiac centres

2020 ◽  
pp. 1753495X2092493
Author(s):  
Francois Dos Santos ◽  
Lucia Baris ◽  
Alice Varley ◽  
Jerome Cornette ◽  
Joanna Allam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Anticoagulation Management ◽  
Valve Thrombosis ◽  
Heart Valve Thrombosis

Background Pregnant women with mechanical heart valves are at significant risk of obstetric/cardiac complications. This study compares the anticoagulation management in two obstetric cardiac centres. Methods Retrospective case-note review from Chelsea and Westminster/Royal Brompton Hospitals (CR) and Erasmus Medical Centre (EMC). Main outcome measure was mechanical heart valve thrombosis. Results Nineteen pregnancies from CR and 25 pregnancies from EMC were included. Most women were on low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) throughout pregnancy at CR, whereas at EMC most had LMWH in the first trimester and vitamin K antagonists in subsequent trimesters. Peak anti-factor Xa were performed monthly at CR, levels 0.39–1.51 IU/mL (mean 0.82 IU/mL). Anticoagulation management peri-partum was inconsistent. Delivery was mainly by Caesarean section at CR (74%) and vaginal delivery at EMC (64%). No maternal deaths and only one mechanical heart valve thrombosis at CR. Two mechanical heart valve thromboses and one maternal death at EMC. Conclusion Peri-partum anticoagulation strategies, anticoagulation monitoring and mode of delivery inconsistencies reported.

scholarly journals Potentially inappropriate prescribing of DOACs to patients with mechanical heart valves: a federated analysis of 57.9 million patients' primary care records in situ using OpenSAFELY

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Louis Fisher ◽  
Victoria Speed ◽  
Helen J Curtis ◽  
Christopher T Rentsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
National Guidance

National guidance was issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to switch patients on warfarin to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) where appropriate as these require less frequent blood testing. DOACs are not recommended for patients with mechanical heart valves. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of DOAC prescribing in people with a record of a mechanical heart valve between September 2019 and May 2021, and describe the characteristics of this population. We identified 15,457 individuals with a mechanical heart valve recorded in their records, of whom 1058 (6.8%) had been prescribed a DOAC during the study period. 767 individuals with a record of a mechanical heart valve were currently prescribed a DOAC as of May 31st 2020. This is suggestive of inappropriate prescribing of DOACs in individuals with mechanical heart valves. Direct alerts have been issued to clinicians through their EHR software informing the issue. We show that the OpenSAFELY platform can be used for rapid audit and feedback to mitigate the indirect health impacts of COVID-19 on the NHS. We will monitor changes in prescribing for this risk group over the following months.

Alternative mechanical heart valves for the developing world

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 431-443
Author(s):  
Elsmari Wium ◽  
Christiaan Johannes Jordaan ◽  
Lezelle Botes ◽  
Francis Edwin Smit
Keyword(s):  
Heart Valve ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Heart Valves ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valve ◽  
Mechanical Heart Valves ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Valves

Due to the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in the developing world, mechanical heart valves in the younger patient population remain the prostheses of choice if repair is not feasible. Despite their durability, mechanical valves are burdened by coagulation and thromboembolism. Modern design tools can be utilized during the design process of mechanical valves, which allow a more systematic design approach and more detailed analysis of the blood flow through and around valves. These tools include computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering, such as computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis, modern manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing, and sophisticated in-vitro and in-vivo tests. Following this systematic approach, a poppet valve was redesigned and the results demonstrate the benefits of the method. More organized flow patterns and fewer complex fluid structures were observed. The alternative trileaflet valve design has also been identified as a potential solution and, if a similar design approach is adopted, it could lead to the development of an improved mechanical heart valve in the future. It is imperative that researchers in developing countries continue their search for a mechanical heart valve with a reduced thromboembolic risk, requiring less or no anticoagulation.

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