THE EFFECT OF SINUS GEOMETRY ON THE TURBULENCE DOWNSTREAM OF A BILEAFLET HEART VALVE

摘要

The levels of velocity fluctuation and Reynolds stresses generated by a bileaflet mechanical heart valve inserted in a straight, axisymmetric channel and in an anatomical model of the aorta, and operating at physiological flow conditions, were measured using particle image velocimetry. In both channels, the strongest turbulence occurred at the interface between the lateral jets and the recirculating sinus flow, but the level of turbulence was significantly greater in the axisymmetric model. This was largely attributed to the straight walls, high height-to-width ratio, and sudden contraction of the axisymmetric sinus. It was concluded that the shape of the anatomical aortic sinus was effective in reducing turbulence.