Introduction of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in patients with congenital heart disease at a children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) is a devastating complication in children and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), particularly in patients with single ventricle physiology. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a rapidly expanding, minimally invasive option for the treatment of AVVR in adults that avoids the morbidity and mortality associated with open heart surgery. However, application of TEER in in CHD and in children is quite novel. We describe the development of a peri-procedural protocol including image-derived pre-intervention simulation, with successful application to four patients. AIMS: To describe the initial experience using the MitraClip system for TEER of dysfunctional systemic atrioventricular valves in patients with congential heart disease within a pediatric hospital. METHODS: A standardized screening and planning process was developed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, three dimensional echocardiography and both virtual and physical simulation. Procedures were performed using the MitraClip G4 system and patients were clinically followed post-intervention. RESULTS: A series of four CHD patients with at least severe AVVR were screened for suitability for TEER with the MitraClip system: three patients had single ventricle physiology and Fontan palliation, and one had repair of a common atrioventricular canal defect. Each patient had at least severe systemic AVVR and was considered at prohibitively high risk for surgical repair. Each patient underwent a standardized preprocedural screening protocol and image-derived modeling followed by the TEER procedure with successful clip placement at the intended location in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The early results of our protocolized efforts to introduce TEER repair of severe AV valve regurgitation with MitraClip into the CHD population within our institution are encouraging. Further investigations of the use of TEER in this challenging population are warranted.

A Computational Framework for Atrioventricular Valve Modeling Using Open-Source Software.

Atrioventricular valve regurgitation is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired and congenital cardiac valve disease. Image-derived computational modeling of atrioventricular valves has advanced substantially over the last decade and holds particular promise to inform valve repair in small and heterogeneous populations, which are less likely to be optimized through empiric clinical application. While an abundance of computational biomechanics studies has investigated mitral and tricuspid valve disease in adults, few studies have investigated its application to vulnerable pediatric and congenital heart populations. Further, to date, investigators have primarily relied upon a series of commercial applications that are neither designed for image-derived modeling of cardiac valves nor freely available to facilitate transparent and reproducible valve science. To address this deficiency, we aimed to build an open-source computational framework for the image-derived biomechanical analysis of atrioventricular valves. In the present work, we integrated an open-source valve modeling platform, SlicerHeart, and an open-source biomechanics finite element modeling software, FEBio, to facilitate image-derived atrioventricular valve model creation and finite element analysis. We present a detailed verification and sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the fidelity of this modeling in application to three-dimensional echocardiography-derived pediatric mitral and tricuspid valve models. Our analyses achieved an excellent agreement with those reported in the literature. As such, this evolving computational framework offers a promising initial foundation for future development and investigation of valve mechanics, in particular collaborative efforts targeting the development of improved repairs for children with congenital heart disease.

Successful integration of a three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography-derived model with an electroanatomic mapping system to guide catheter ablation of WPW.

Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DE)-derived heart models have not previously been utilized to guide catheter ablation. In this case report, we describe the creation of a 3DE model from transthoracic echocardiography, import of the model into CARTO3, and successful use of the model as a guide during mapping and ablation of a right lateral accessory pathway. We believe this technique represents a valuable alternative to the integration of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-derived anatomic data, and that it has the potential to improve the definition of the atrioventricular valve annuli during catheter ablation of accessory pathways.

Toward predictive modeling of catheter-based pulmonary valve replacement into native right ventricular outflow tracts.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary insufficiency is a consequence of transannular patch repair in Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) leading to late morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter native outflow tract pulmonary valve replacement has become a reality. However, predicting a secure, atraumatic implantation of a catheter-based device remains a significant challenge due to the complex and dynamic nature of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). We sought to quantify the differences in compression and volume for actual implants, and those predicted by pre-implant modeling. METHODS: We used custom software to interactively place virtual transcatheter pulmonary valves (TPVs) into RVOT models created from pre-implant and post Harmony valve implant CT scans of 5 ovine surgical models of TOF to quantify and visualize device volume and compression. RESULTS: Virtual device placement visually mimicked actual device placement and allowed for quantification of device volume and radius. On average, simulated proximal and distal device volumes and compression did not vary statistically throughout the cardiac cycle (P = 0.11) but assessment was limited by small sample size. In comparison to actual implants, there was no significant pairwise difference in the proximal third of the device (P > 0.80), but the simulated distal device volume was significantly underestimated relative to actual device implant volume (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that pre-implant modeling which assumes a rigid vessel wall may not accurately predict the degree of distal RVOT expansion following actual device placement. We suggest the potential for virtual modeling of TPVR to be a useful adjunct to procedural planning, but further development is needed.

Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children Supported with ECMO for Cardiac Indications.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is lifesaving for many critically ill children with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, limited information is available about their ensuing neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes. We describe early ND outcomes in a cohort of children supported with ECMO for cardiac indications. Twenty-eight patients supported with ECMO at age < 36 months underwent later ND testing at 12-42 months of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III). ND scores were compared with normative means and with ND outcomes of a matched cohort of 79 children with CHD undergoing cardiac surgery but not requiring ECMO support. Risk factors for worse ND outcomes were identified using multivariable linear regression models. Cardiac ECMO patients had ND scores at least one standard deviation below the normative mean in the gross motor (61%), language (43%), and cognitive (29%) domains of the Bayley-III. Cardiac ECMO patients had lower scores on the motor, language, and cognitive domains as compared to the matched non-ECMO group and clinically important (1/2 SD) differences in the motor domain persisted after controlling for primary caregiver education and number of cardiac catheterizations. Risk factors of worse ND outcomes among cardiac ECMO patients in more than one developmental domain included older age at first cannulation and more cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgical procedures prior to ND assessment. Overall, children supported on ECMO for cardiac indications have significant developmental delays and warrant close ND follow-up.

Comparison of 3D Echocardiogram-Derived 3D Printed Valve Models to Molded Models for Simulated Repair of Pediatric Atrioventricular Valves.

Mastering the technical skills required to perform pediatric cardiac valve surgery is challenging in part due to limited opportunity for practice. Transformation of 3D echocardiographic (echo) images of congenitally abnormal heart valves to realistic physical models could allow patient-specific simulation of surgical valve repair. We compared materials, processes, and costs for 3D printing and molding of patient-specific models for visualization and surgical simulation of congenitally abnormal heart valves. Pediatric atrioventricular valves (mitral, tricuspid, and common atrioventricular valve) were modeled from transthoracic 3D echo images using semi-automated methods implemented as custom modules in 3D Slicer. Valve models were then both 3D printed in soft materials and molded in silicone using 3D printed "negative" molds. Using pre-defined assessment criteria, valve models were evaluated by congenital cardiac surgeons to determine suitability for simulation. Surgeon assessment indicated that the molded valves had superior material properties for the purposes of simulation compared to directly printed valves (p < 0.01). Patient-specific, 3D echo-derived molded valves are a step toward realistic simulation of complex valve repairs but require more time and labor to create than directly printed models. Patient-specific simulation of valve repair in children using such models may be useful for surgical training and simulation of complex congenital cases.

Fontan physiology revisited.

The Fontan operation places the systemic and pulmonary circulations in series, driven by a single ventricular chamber. It has become the treatment strategy of choice for palliating single-ventricle congenital heart disease. This anatomy engenders profound changes in physiology, affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory systems with direct implications for anesthetic and intensive care. The physical basis of these changes and their sequelae are reviewed.

Resting heart rate influences right ventricular volume in repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of heart rate (HR) on right ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area (RVEDVi) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In this cross-sectional study, an institutional database search identified all patients with repaired TOF who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and had a Holter study within 3 months. The association of HR on Holter, HR at the time of CMR, and other clinical and CMR parameters on RVEDVi was explored with univariate and then multivariable models. In the study group (n = 161, median age 23 years), a lower mean Holter HR was associated with a larger RVEDVi (p = 0.004). In a model that also included pulmonary regurgitation fraction, tricuspid regurgitation grade, RV ejection fraction, age at CMR, and gender, mean Holter HR remained associated with RVEDVi (p < 0.0001); for a decrease of 1 bpm, mean RVEDVi increased by 1.09 ml/m(2). When limiting to those with a Holter within 5 days of CMR (n = 70), the impact of mean Holter HR on RVEDVi was stronger (-1.9 ml/m(2)/bpm). HR at time of CMR had a significant but less pronounced relationship to RVEDVi (-0.58 ml/m(2)/bpm, p = 0.002). In conclusion, in repaired TOF patients, a lower HR was significantly associated with a larger RVEDVi. This relationship was stronger with a shorter time interval between the Holter and CMR, and stronger for the mean HR on Holter than for the HR at CMR. Accounting for HR in the interpretation of RVEDVi may impact decisions regarding pulmonary valve replacement and the interpretation of serial CMR data.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported cardiopulmonary resuscitation following stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To report on survival from a large multicenter cohort of neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation after stage 1 palliation operation. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization data registry (1998 through 2013). We computed the survival to hospital discharge for neonates (age < 30 d) who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after stage 1 palliation and evaluated factors associated with mortality using multivariate logistic regression analysis. SETTING: Multicenter data reported to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry. PATIENTS: Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after stage 1 palliation who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 307 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs in the setting of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 293 neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome following stage 1 palliation operation. The median age at cannulation was 9 days (interquartile range, 5-14 d). Survival to hospital discharge was 36%. In univariate analysis, gestational age, weight, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration, presence of air embolism, hemorrhagic complications, renal failure, and pulmonary complications (pulmonary hemorrhage and pneumothorax) were all associated with nonsurvival. In multivariate analysis, lower body weight at cannulation (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.9-8.3), duration of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.9-7.3), and renal failure while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (odds ratio, 2; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5) increased odds of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality for neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation after stage 1 palliation is high. Lower body weight, increased duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and renal failure increased mortality.

3D Echocardiogram Visualization: A New Method Based on "Focus + Context".

3D echocardiography (3DE) is the standard modality for visualizing heart valves and their surrounding anatomical structures. Commercial cardiovascular ultrasound systems commonly offer a set of parameters that allow clinical users to modify, in real time, visual aspects of the information contained in the echocardiogram. To our knowledge, there is currently no work that demonstrates if the methods currently used by commercial platforms are optimal. In addition, current platforms have limitations in adjusting the visibility of anatomical structures, such as reducing information that obstructs anatomical structures without removing essential clinical information. To overcome this, the present work proposes a new method for 3DE visualization based on "focus + context" (F+C), a concept which aims to present a detailed region of interest while preserving a less detailed overview of the surrounding context. The new method is intended to allow clinical users to modify parameter values differently within a certain region of interest, independently from the adjustment of contextual information. To validate this new method, a user study was conducted amongst clinical experts. As part of the user study, clinical experts adjusted parameters for five echocardiograms of patients with complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC) using both the method conventionally used by commercial platforms and the proposed method based on F+C. The results showed relevance for the F+C-based method to visualize 3DE of CAVC patients, where users chose significantly different parameter values with the F+C-based method.

Identifying Heterogeneous Micromechanical Properties of Biological Tissues via Physics-Informed Neural Networks.

The heterogeneous micromechanical properties of biological tissues have profound implications across diverse medical and engineering domains. However, identifying full-field heterogeneous elastic properties of soft materials using traditional engineering approaches is fundamentally challenging due to difficulties in estimating local stress fields. Recently, there has been a growing interest in data-driven models for learning full-field mechanical responses, such as displacement and strain, from experimental or synthetic data. However, research studies on inferring full-field elastic properties of materials, a more challenging problem, are scarce, particularly for large deformation, hyperelastic materials. Here, a physics-informed machine learning approach is proposed to identify the elasticity map in nonlinear, large deformation hyperelastic materials. This study reports the prediction accuracies and computational efficiency of physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) in inferring the heterogeneous elasticity maps across materials with structural complexity that closely resemble real tissue microstructure, such as brain, tricuspid valve, and breast cancer tissues. Further, the improved architecture is applied to three hyperelastic constitutive models: Neo-Hookean, Mooney Rivlin, and Gent. The improved network architecture consistently produces accurate estimations of heterogeneous elasticity maps, even when there is up to 10% noise present in the training data.

Identifying heterogeneous micromechanical properties of biological tissues via physics-informed neural networks.

The heterogeneous micromechanical properties of biological tissues have profound implications across diverse medical and engineering domains. However, identifying full-field heterogeneous elastic properties of soft materials using traditional engineering approaches is fundamentally challenging due to difficulties in estimating local stress fields. Recently, there has been a growing interest in using data-driven models to learn full-field mechanical responses such as displacement and strain from experimental or synthetic data. However, research studies on inferring full-field elastic properties of materials, a more challenging problem, are scarce, particularly for large deformation, hyperelastic materials. Here, we propose a physics-informed machine learning approach to identify the elasticity map in nonlinear, large deformation hyperelastic materials. We evaluate the prediction accuracies and computational efficiency of physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) by inferring the heterogeneous elasticity maps across three materials with structural complexity that closely resemble real tissue patterns, such as brain tissue and tricuspid valve tissue. We further applied our improved architecture to three additional examples of breast cancer tissue and extended our analysis to three hyperelastic constitutive models: Neo-Hookean, Mooney Rivlin, and Gent. Our selected network architecture consistently produced highly accurate estimations of heterogeneous elasticity maps, even when there was up to 10% noise present in the training data.

FEBio FINESSE: An Open-Source Finite Element Simulation Approach to Estimate In Vivo Heart Valve Strains Using Shape Enforcement.

PURPOSE: Finite element simulations are an enticing tool to evaluate heart valve function; however, patient-specific simulations derived from 3D echocardiography are hampered by several technical challenges. The objective of this work is to develop an open-source method to enforce matching between finite element simulations and in vivo image-derived heart valve geometry in the absence of patient-specific material properties, leaflet thickness, and chordae tendineae structures. METHODS: We evaluate FEBio Finite Element Simulations with Shape Enforcement (FINESSE) using three synthetic test cases considering a range of model complexity. FINESSE is then used to estimate the in vivo valve behavior and leaflet strains for three pediatric patients. RESULTS: Our results suggest that FINESSE can be used to enforce finite element simulations to match an image-derived surface and estimate the first principal leaflet strains within ± 0.03 strain. Key considerations include: (i) defining the user-defined penalty, (ii) omitting the leaflet commissures to improve simulation convergence, and (iii) emulating the chordae tendineae behavior via prescribed leaflet free edge motion or a chordae emulating force. In all patient-specific cases, FINESSE matched the target surface with median errors of approximately the smallest voxel dimension. Further analysis revealed valve-specific findings, such as the tricuspid valve leaflet strains of a 2-day old patient with HLHS being larger than those of two 13-year old patients. CONCLUSIONS: FEBio FINESSE can be used to estimate patient-specific in vivo heart valve leaflet strains. The development of this open-source pipeline will enable future studies to begin linking in vivo leaflet mechanics with patient outcomes.

Euclidean and Shape-Based Analysis of the Dynamic Mitral Annulus in Children using a Novel Open-Source Framework.

BACKGROUND: The dynamic shape of the normal adult mitral annulus has been shown to be important to mitral valve function. However, annular dynamics of the healthy mitral valve in children have yet to be explored. The aim of this study was to model and quantify the shape and major modes of variation of pediatric mitral valve annuli in four phases of the cardiac cycle using transthoracic echocardiography. METHODS: The mitral valve annuli of 100 children and young adults with normal findings on three-dimensional echocardiography were modeled in four different cardiac phases using the SlicerHeart extension for 3D Slicer. Annular metrics were quantified using SlicerHeart, and optimal normalization to body surface area was explored. Mean annular shapes and the principal components of variation were computed using custom code implemented in a new SlicerHeart module (Annulus Shape Analyzer). Shape was regressed over metrics of age and body surface area, and mean shapes for five age-stratified groups were generated. RESULTS: The ratio of annular height to commissural width of the mitral valve ("saddle shape") changed significantly throughout age for systolic phases (P < .001) but within a narrow range (median range, 0.20-0.25). Annular metrics changed statistically significantly between the diastolic and systolic phases of the cardiac cycle. Visually, the annular shape was maintained with respect to age and body surface area. Principal-component analysis revealed that the pediatric mitral annulus varies primarily in size (mode 1), ratio of annular height to commissural width (mode 2), and sphericity (mode 3). CONCLUSIONS: The saddle-shaped mitral annulus is maintained throughout childhood but varies significantly throughout the cardiac cycle. The major modes of variation in the pediatric mitral annulus are due to size, ratio of annular height to commissural width, and sphericity. The generation of age- and size-specific mitral annular shapes may inform the development of appropriately scaled absorbable or expandable mitral annuloplasty rings for children.

Calculating Relative Lung Perfusion Using Fluoroscopic Sequences and Image Analysis: The Fluoroscopic Flow Calculator.

BACKGROUND: Maldistribution of pulmonary blood flow in patients with congenital heart disease impacts exertional performance and pulmonary artery growth. Currently, measurement of relative pulmonary perfusion can only be performed outside the catheterization laboratory. We sought to develop a tool for measuring relative lung perfusion using readily available fluoroscopy sequences. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with conotruncal anomalies who underwent lung perfusion scans and subsequent cardiac catheterizations between 2011 and 2022. Inclusion criteria were nonselective angiogram of pulmonary vasculature, oblique angulation ≤20°, and an adequate view of both lung fields. A method was developed and implemented in 3D Slicer's SlicerHeart extension to calculate the amount of contrast that entered each lung field from the start of contrast injection and until the onset of levophase. The predicted perfusion distribution was compared with the measured distribution of pulmonary blood flow and evaluated for correlation, accuracy, and bias. RESULTS: In total, 32% (79/249) of screened studies met the inclusion criteria. A strong correlation between the predicted flow split and the measured flow split was found (R2=0.83; P<0.001). The median absolute error was 6%, and 72% of predictions were within 10% of the true value. Bias was not systematically worse at either extreme of the flow distribution. The prediction was found to be more accurate for either smaller and younger patients (age 0-2 years), for right ventricle injections, or when less cranial angulations were used (≤20°). In these cases (n=40), the prediction achieved R2=0.87, median absolute error of 5.5%, and 78% of predictions were within 10% of the true flow. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel method for measuring relative lung perfusion using conventional angiograms. Real-time measurement of lung perfusion at the catheterization laboratory has the potential to reduce unnecessary testing, associated costs, and radiation exposure. Further optimization and validation is warranted.

Open-source graphical user interface for the creation of synthetic skeletons for medical image analysis.

Purpose: Deformable medial modeling is an inverse skeletonization approach to representing anatomy in medical images, which can be used for statistical shape analysis and assessment of patient-specific anatomical features such as locally varying thickness. It involves deforming a pre-defined synthetic skeleton, or template, to anatomical structures of the same class. The lack of software for creating such skeletons has been a limitation to more widespread use of deformable medial modeling. Therefore, the objective of this work is to present an open-source user interface (UI) for the creation of synthetic skeletons for a range of medial modeling applications in medical imaging. Approach: A UI for interactive design of synthetic skeletons was implemented in 3D Slicer, an open-source medical image analysis application. The steps in synthetic skeleton design include importation and skeletonization of a 3D segmentation, followed by interactive 3D point placement and triangulation of the medial surface such that the desired branching configuration of the anatomical structure's medial axis is achieved. Synthetic skeleton design was evaluated in five clinical applications. Compatibility of the synthetic skeletons with open-source software for deformable medial modeling was tested, and representational accuracy of the deformed medial models was evaluated. Results: Three users designed synthetic skeletons of anatomies with various topologies: the placenta, aortic root wall, mitral valve, cardiac ventricles, and the uterus. The skeletons were compatible with skeleton-first and boundary-first software for deformable medial modeling. The fitted medial models achieved good representational accuracy with respect to the 3D segmentations from which the synthetic skeletons were generated. Conclusions: Synthetic skeleton design has been a practical challenge in leveraging deformable medial modeling for new clinical applications. This work demonstrates an open-source UI for user-friendly design of synthetic skeletons for anatomies with a wide range of topologies.

Hierarchical Geodesic Polynomial Model for Multilevel Analysis of Longitudinal Shape.

Longitudinal analysis is a core aspect of many medical applications for understanding the relationship between an anatomical subject's function and its trajectory of shape change over time. Whereas mixed-effects (or hierarchical) modeling is the statistical method of choice for analysis of longitudinal data, we here propose its extension as hierarchical geodesic polynomial model (HGPM) for multilevel analyses of longitudinal shape data. 3D shapes are transformed to a non-Euclidean shape space for regression analysis using geodesics on a high dimensional Riemannian manifold. At the subject-wise level, each individual trajectory of shape change is represented by a univariate geodesic polynomial model on timestamps. At the population level, multivariate polynomial expansion is applied to uni/multivariate geodesic polynomial models for both anchor points and tangent vectors. As such, the trajectory of an individual subject's shape changes over time can be modeled accurately with a reduced number of parameters, and population-level effects from multiple covariates on trajectories can be well captured. The implemented HGPM is validated on synthetic examples of points on a unit 3D sphere. Further tests on clinical 4D right ventricular data show that HGPM is capable of capturing observable effects on shapes attributed to changes in covariates, which are consistent with qualitative clinical evaluations. HGPM demonstrates its effectiveness in modeling shape changes at both subject-wise and population levels, which is promising for future studies of the relationship between shape changes over time and the level of dysfunction severity on anatomical objects associated with disease.

Physical Simulation of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair using Image-Derived 3D Printed Heart Models.

Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair (TEER) is a complex procedure requiring delivery and alignment of the device to the target valve, which can be challenging in atypical or surgically palliated anatomy. We demonstrate application of virtual and physical simulation to plan optimal TEER access and catheter path in normal and congenitally abnormal cardiac anatomy. Methods: Three heart models were created from three-dimensional (3D) images and 3D printed, including two with congenital heart disease. TEER catheter course was simulated both virtually and physically using a commercial TEER system. Results: We demonstrate application of modeling in three patients, including two with congenital heart disease and a Fontan circulation. Access site and pathway to device delivery was simulated by members of a multidisciplinary valve team. Virtual and physical simulation were compared. Conclusions: Virtual and physical simulation of TEER using 3D printed heart models is feasible and may be beneficial for planning and simulation, particularly in patients with complex anatomy. Future work is required to demonstrate application in the clinical setting.

The Effects of leaflet material properties on the simulated function of regurgitant mitral valves.

Advances in three-dimensional imaging provide the ability to construct and analyze finite element (FE) models to evaluate the biomechanical behavior and function of atrioventricular valves. However, while obtaining patient-specific valve geometry is now possible, non-invasive measurement of patient-specific leaflet material properties remains nearly impossible. Both valve geometry and tissue properties play a significant role in governing valve dynamics, leading to the central question of whether clinically relevant insights can be attained from FE analysis of atrioventricular valves without precise knowledge of tissue properties. As such we investigated 1) the influence of tissue extensibility and 2) the effects of constitutive model parameters and leaflet thickness on simulated valve function and mechanics. We compared metrics of valve function (e.g., leaflet coaptation and regurgitant orifice area) and mechanics (e.g., stress and strain) across one normal and three regurgitant mitral valve (MV) models with common mechanisms of regurgitation (annular dilation, leaflet prolapse, leaflet tethering) of both moderate and severe degree. We developed a novel fully-automated approach to accurately quantify regurgitant orifice areas of complex valve geometries. We found that the relative ordering of the mechanical and functional metrics was maintained across a group of valves using material properties up to 15% softer than the representative adult mitral constitutive model. Our findings suggest that FE simulations can be used to qualitatively compare how differences and alterations in valve structure affect relative atrioventricular valve function even in populations where material properties are not precisely known.

The effects of leaflet material properties on the simulated function of regurgitant mitral valves.

Advances in three-dimensional imaging provide the ability to construct and analyze finite element (FE) models to evaluate the biomechanical behavior and function of atrioventricular valves. However, while obtaining patient-specific valve geometry is now possible, non-invasive measurement of patient-specific leaflet material properties remains nearly impossible. Both valve geometry and tissue properties play a significant role in governing valve dynamics, leading to the central question of whether clinically relevant insights can be attained from FE analysis of atrioventricular valves without precise knowledge of tissue properties. As such we investigated (1) the influence of tissue extensibility and (2) the effects of constitutive model parameters and leaflet thickness on simulated valve function and mechanics. We compared metrics of valve function (e.g., leaflet coaptation and regurgitant orifice area) and mechanics (e.g., stress and strain) across one normal and three regurgitant mitral valve (MV) models with common mechanisms of regurgitation (annular dilation, leaflet prolapse, leaflet tethering) of both moderate and severe degree. We developed a novel fully-automated approach to accurately quantify regurgitant orifice areas of complex valve geometries. We found that the relative ordering of the mechanical and functional metrics was maintained across a group of valves using material properties up to 15% softer than the representative adult mitral constitutive model. Our findings suggest that FE simulations can be used to qualitatively compare how differences and alterations in valve structure affect relative atrioventricular valve function even in populations where material properties are not precisely known.