Mechanical modelling of the natural aortic valve computer simulations toward clinical applications

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In Canada, several thousand deaths are associated with aortic valve disease each year and, as in many other countries, the number of aortic valve disease cases grows rapidly due to the aging of the population. Aortic valvular diseases are related in part to the presence of outstanding levels of deformation or stress in the tissues. The numerical simulation of the aortic valve so far has been approximate at best, for lack of proper validation. The proposed research program aims at improving this situation by creating and validating a leading-edge structural model of the normal aortic valve, which in effect will constitute a numerical benchmark whose parameters can readily be changed to explore multiple what-if scenarios. Once properly established, the benchmark will then be used to investigate the mechanical impact on the aortic valve function of alterations such as aging, hypertension, aortic stenosis and aortic root dilatation. In a parallel line of research, the benchmark will also be used to explore and possibly minimize the mechanical impact on the aortic valve function of various surgical procedures for valve repair and replacement. Input from cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) will be sought for medical expertise and patient data in order to maximize the clinical and surgical relevance of the research. By emphasizing model validation based on experimental and clinical data, the proposed research program represents a distinct effort toward more accurate and useful modelling, which will benefit both basic and applied sciences, with far-reaching clinical and surgical applications. In turn, both Canadian healthcare and bioengineering companies will profit from the program.