Modeling and simulation framework of aortic valve for hemodynamic evaluation of aortic root replacement surgery outcomes

The valve-sparing aortic root surgery is a common treatment of several aortic diseases. Although, the aortic valves are generally fixed in an even distribution during these operations, recently developed special tools enable the back-sewing of the valves in the original, patient specific distribution that likely provides better hemodynamic functions after the operation. The aim of the presented work is to quantitatively analyze the hemodynamic outcomes of the alternative valve-sparing root surgery operations by using computer simulation. In the paper the developed modeling, elastic, and fluid simulation framework of the aortic root is introduced. The workflow implemented by the framework covers the patient specific aortic root geometry modeling using CT or MR data, finite element simulation based virtual valve sewing, and blood flow parameter calculation in the aortic root. Our custom-developed simulation techniques use simplifications applicable directly for aortic valve simulation resulting in reasonable computational complexity. The preliminary results of aortic valve modeling of 10 patients are presented at the end of the paper