Decreased Hemolysis and Improved Hemodynamic Performance of Synchronized Bileaflet Mechanical Valve.

Purpose: This study compared the performance of a newly patented synchronized valve (SV) with that of a commercially available (CAV) bileaflet mechanical heart valve.

Description: A high-speed camera was used to record the leaflet kinematics of the SV vs the CAV along the flow channel. Transvalvular energy loss, effective orifice area, and hemolysis ratios were obtained using a mock circulatory system at two fixed pulse rates and at various cardiac outputs with a fixed aortic pressure.

Evaluation: The rotational radius and inertia of the SV was lower than that of the CAV during valve closure. For heart rates and at cardiac outputs of 7, 5, and 4 L/min, the ratio of total energy loss to effective energy of the SV was significantly less than the CAV, whereas the effective orifice area of the SV was significantly larger than that of CAV. The hemolysis ratio after 4 hours was significantly higher in the CAV than in the SV for both pulse rates.

Conclusions: The synchronized leaflet motion mitigated leaflet rebound and regurgitation during valve closure, which could decrease energy loss, increase the effective orifice area, and reduce hemolysis.