Dynamic Annular Motion Effects on Mitral Valve Simulation

Characteristics of normal and pathologic mitral valves (MVs) are influenced by physiologic function and component interaction of the mitral apparatus which consists of the annulus, leaflets, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles (PMs) [1]. In particular, the shape, size, and motion of the mitral annulus are closely related to MV function [2]. Finite element (FE) analysis studies have demonstrated that alterations in the mitral annulus can affect MV motion. However, most of these computational studies have performed the simulations using geometrically simplified MV models created with representative geometric parameters using data collected from normal MVs [3,4]. These computational studies with simplified MV geometric models may not provide patient-specific biomechanical and functional information for clinical evaluation.