Correlating Leaflet Design and Closing Dynamics With Turbulent Flows Near Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valves

Significant advances have been made in the field of heart valve replacement, especially in terms of anticoagulation therapy and valve design. Mechanical heart valves have been successfully implanted for decades to replace irreparable diseased or failing native valves. However, heart valve patients remain more susceptible to hemolysis and thrombosis [1]. In this experimental study, we focus on the closing dynamics of bileaflet mechanical heart valves to better understand the roles that valve design and environmental conditions have on the local fluid mechanics.