%0 Journal Article
%T A parametric study on pulse duplicator design and valve hemodynamics.
%A Smid CC
%A Pappas GA
%A Falk V
%A Ermanni P
%A Cesarovic N
%J Artif Organs
%V 48
%N 9
%D 2024 Sep 23
%M 38651352
%F 2.663
%R 10.1111/aor.14757
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>In vitro assessment is mandatory for artificial heart valve development. This study aims to investigate the effects of pulse duplicator features on valve responsiveness, conduct a sensitivity analysis across valve prosthesis types, and contribute on the development of versatile pulse duplicator systems able to perform reliable prosthetic aortic valve assessment under physiologic hemodynamic conditions.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A reference pulse duplicator was established based on literature. Further optimization process led to new designs that underwent a parametric study, also involving different aortic valve prostheses. These designs were evaluated on criteria such as mean pressure differential and pulse pressure (assessed from high-fidelity pressure measurements), valve opening and closing behavior, flow, and regurgitation. Finally, the resulting optimized setup was tested under five different hemodynamic settings simulating a range of physiologic and pathologic conditions.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The results show that both, pulse duplicator design and valve type significantly influence aortic and ventricular pressure, flow, and valve kinematic response. The optimal design comprised key features such as a compliance chamber and restrictor for diastolic pressure maintenance and narrow pulse pressure. Additionally, an atrial reservoir was included to prevent atrial-aortic interference, and a bioprosthetic valve was used in mitral position to avoid delayed valve closing effects.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study showed that individual pulse duplicator features can have a significant effect on valve's responsiveness. The optimized versatile pulse duplicator replicated physiologic and pathologic aortic valve hemodynamic conditions, serving as a reliable characterization tool for assessing and optimizing aortic valve performance.