Publications by authors named "Dokainish M"

Recent studies suggest that sharp bending of valve leaflets during the opening phase may be the reason for much of the mechanical failure of bovine pericardial bioprostheses. Sharp bending of the valve leaflets is promoted by the rigid, non expanding stents upon which the leaflets are mounted. We hypothesized that sharp bends and the associated flexural stresses could be significantly reduced by incorporating a stent that expands with the recipient aorta during systolic valve opening.

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Recent studies suggest that flexural stresses induced during the opening phase may be responsible for much of the mechanical failures of bioprosthetic heart valves. Sharp leaflet bending is promoted by the mounting of valves on rigid stents that do not mimic the systolic expansion of the natural aortic root. We, therefore, hypothesized that flexural stresses could be significantly reduced by incorporating a flexible or expansile supporting stent into the valve design.

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