Design and evaluation of a duplication of the cardiac for the evaluation of valvular prostheses
Peón, J.; Valenzuela, F.; Cabrera, J.; Carrillo, G.; Aguirre, A.; Kabela, E.
Archivos del Instituto de Cardiologia de Mexico 50(5): 535-543
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-3785 PMID: 7469597 Document Number: 163343
Recently, several different models of valvular prostheses have been developed in which biological material, like duramater and perycardium, is being used for their manufacturing. Since these valves have to be manufactured one by one, the possibility of obtaining heterogeneous results is very high, thus it is very important to have a system to evaluate the behavior of these prostheses. The objective of this project was to design and evaluate a cardiac cycle duplicator to test the function of valvular prostheses. The system consists of a double plexiglass chamber, separated by the valvular prosthesis being studied. The superior "auricular" chamber is connected to a reservoir where the height of the column of saline can be modified. The interior "ventricular" chamber is connected to a pump that generates pressure pulses at constant intervals which simulate ventricular systoles. The other end of the pump connects with an artificial Starling's resistance. The data obtained from this system allows the quantification of the following: 1) Functional diameter, form and area of maximal opening; 2) valve motility; 3) sufficiency of the prostheses; 4) velocity of valve opening and closing; 5) rigidity of the valves; 6) optimal pressure gradient for adequate valvular function. The system makes possible the evaluation and comparison of the function of these valvular prostheses.