Geometry and fusion of aortic valves from pulsatile flow ventricular assist device patients.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic valve commissural fusion is a process in which fibrous tissue is deposited at the aortic valve commissures, creating adhesion between leaflets and preventing opening. Fusion has recently been associated with the implantation of left ventricular assist devices (VADs), affecting upwards of 50% of patients in recent studies. Aortic incompetence has also been associated with pulsatile VAD use, but a specific structural mechanism has not been identified.