Ex-vivo 4D Flow MRI for Evaluation of Aortic Valve Pathologies in a Mock Circulatory System

Motivation: The Ross Procedure is a complex cardiac surgery that utilizes the pulmonary valve to replace a diseased aortic valve. More work is needed to improve preoperative candidacy. Goal(s): To develop and validate an ex-vivo model of the aortic valve in combination with a mock circulatory system. Approach: The left ventricle was mounted on a circulatory loop with preservation of aortic valve anatomy and application of hemodynamic flow to assess valve characteristics. Results: A successful system was built and 4D Flow MRI performed with resultant functional quantification and representative curves mimicking ventricular inflow and aortic outflow. Impact: 4D Flow MRI, in combination with an ex-vivo left ventricular mock circulatory system, provides a method to study aortic flow and assess valvular abnormalities or preoperative candidacy in cardiac surgery.