Stress analysis on stentless quadrileaflet pericardial mitral valve

The finite-element method (FEM) has become an applicable method to analyse the stress distribution of bioprosthetic valves. However, most of the stress analyses performed in the past have been on bioprosthetic aortic valves. No public reports are available on the numerical simulation of stress analysis for stentless quadrileaflet pericardial mitral valves up to date. This study applied FEM to investigate the mechanical behaviours of a modified stentless quadrileaflet pericardial mitral valve. The finite-element model includes the material non-linearity, large deformation and the contact condition of leaflets. The results showed that the deformed shapes of valve in the numerical simulation are quite similar to ones observed in the hydrodynamic experiment in vitro, the stress distribution is relatively uniform and the magnitudes of stresses are in a reasonable range. It can be concluded that the finite-element model in this paper is reasonable and feasible, and the numerical results can be used to evaluate the biomechanical performance of this valve. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.