Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry of Native Ovine Mitral Valves in a Pulsatile Left Heart Simulator

Patient specific mitral valve computational models are being actively developed to facilitate surgical planning. These numerical models increasingly employ more realistic geometries, kinematics, and mechanical properties, which in turn requires rigorous experimental validation [1]. However, to date, native mitral flow dynamics have not been accurately and comprehensively characterized. In this study, we used Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) to characterize the ventricular flow field proximal to a native mitral valve in a pulsatile experimental flow loop.