Further insights into normal aortic valve function: role of a compliant aortic root on leaflet opening and valve orifice area.

Background: This study aims to find the fundamental differences in the mechanism of opening and closing of a normal aortic valve and a valve with a stiff root, using a dynamic finite element model.

Methods: A dynamic, finite element model with time varying pressure was used in this study. Shell elements with linear elastic properties for the leaflet and root were used.