In-vitro Assessment of Expanded-Polytetrafluoroethylene Stentless Tri-leaflet Valve Prosthesis for Aortic Valve Replacement

摘要

Truly stentless polymeric valve prosthesis can be a viable alternative for aortic valve replacement (AVR). In the present paper, the dynamic and hemodynamic performance of a novel designed expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) stentless tri-leaflet valve was assessed experimentally. The in-vitro tests were performed under time-varying physiological pressure by using the Vivitro pulse duplicator. A high-speed camera, a flow meter, and pressure transducers were utilized to evaluate the dynamic leaflet behaviours and coaptation parameters. The maximum effective orifice area, mean pressure gradient, regurgitant volume, leakage volume and energy loss of the stentless ePTFE tri-leaflet valve are 2.86 cm~2, 9.89 mmHg, 7.09 ml/beat, 2.81 ml/beat and 129.03 mJ, respectively. The results of the current study may provide a viable option for the future clinical application.