Fluid–structure interaction analysis of a healthy aortic valve and its surrounding haemodynamics

Zhongjie Yin, Chlöe Armour, Harkamaljot Kandail, Declan P. O'Regan, Toufan Bahrami, Saeed Mirsadraee, Selene Pirola*, Xiao Yun Xu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

36 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The opening and closing dynamics of the aortic valve (AV) has a strong influence on haemodynamics in the aortic root, and both play a pivotal role in maintaining normal physiological functions of the valve. The aim of this study was to establish a subject-specific fluid–structure interaction (FSI) workflow capable of simulating the motion of a tricuspid healthy valve and the surrounding haemodynamics under physiologically realistic conditions. A subject-specific aortic root was reconstructed from magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired from a healthy volunteer, whilst the valve leaflets were built using a parametric model fitted to the subject-specific aortic root geometry. The material behaviour of the leaflets was described using the isotropic hyperelastic Ogden model, and subject-specific boundary conditions were derived from 4D-flow MR imaging (4D-MRI). Strongly coupled FSI simulations were performed using a finite volume-based boundary conforming method implemented in FlowVision. Our FSI model was able to simulate the opening and closing of the AV throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Comparisons of simulation results with 4D-MRI showed a good agreement in key haemodynamic parameters, with stroke volume differing by 7.5% and the maximum jet velocity differing by less than 1%. Detailed analysis of wall shear stress (WSS) on the leaflets revealed much higher WSS on the ventricular side than the aortic side and different spatial patterns amongst the three leaflets.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere3865
Number of pages17
JournalInternational Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering
Volume40
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • aortic valve
  • fluid–structure interaction
  • haemodynamics
  • wall shear stress

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fluid–structure interaction analysis of a healthy aortic valve and its surrounding haemodynamics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this