Modeling Fluid Flow Dynamics and Blood Clotting Using Simplified Replicas of Mechanical Heart Valves

About 2.5 percent of Americans have a form of valvular heart disease, with more than 200,000 of individuals having artificial heart valves. Prosthetic heart valves allow blood to flow through the heart in one direction while preventing backflow, thus becoming integral pieces for restoring cardiac function for patients with valvular diseases. Some complications with these heart valves are thrombosis and pannus formation, both of which block natural blood flow. This study aims to explore how different shapes, materials, and the addition of biomimetic features influence the overall performance and hemodynamic function of the valve. To achieve this, the St. Jude’s valve, Medtronic-Hall disc valve, and Starr Edwards valve were reviewed with a variation of materials and presence of biomimetic features. They were crafted using a variety of household materials to recreate static model valves. To test the valves, a flow-controlled tubing system that mimicked physiological conditions was used and a vicious liquid tested for possible clotting areas. The results show that the St. Jude’s valve had the highest flow value in comparison to the two other valves with biomimetic features playing no significance in the results. Lastly, areas of possible clotting were most seen around the St. Jude’s valve although the Starr Edwards valve had the most buildup of agave syrup. Discovering the relationship between shape, design, and biomimetic features of mechanic heart valves and their impact on fluid flow and thrombogenicity provides valuable insight for future designs that can improve the quality of life for many individuals.