Development of a patient-specific finite element model of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure

TL;DR

This study develops a patient-specific finite element model of TAVI to predict prosthetic valve performance, demonstrating its ability to assess structural integrity and leaflet displacement in a simulated heart cycle.

Contribution

It introduces a novel patient-specific finite element modeling approach for TAVI, integrating experimental pressure data to evaluate valve deployment and function.

Findings

Stent maintains structural integrity after deployment

Successfully pushes native leaflets to clear the aortic root

Model predicts valve performance in a simulated heart cycle

Abstract

This work reports on a study to develop a patient-specific finite element model of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation procedure, using a model of a balloon-expandable percutaneous prosthetic aortic valve as a framework for the prediction of its performance. An experimentally measured left ventricle and aortic pressure profile of a single systolic-diastolic cycle of a resting heart are used to assess the performance of the stent after its deployment. The results of the simulation show that the stent maintains its structural integrity after deployment, and successfully pushes the native leaflets back to keep the aortic root clear of all impediments.