Design and Validation of a Computational Geometric 3D Model of the Normal Aortic Root and Aortic Valve

Abstract

Background and Aim: One major limitation to the wider application of aortic valve repair techniques has been the difficulty in recognizing the exact alterations responsible for valve regurgitation. The availability of reference sizers for aortic valve components can provide objective insight into the mechanism of valve insufficiency. This, however, requires the development of a valid geometric model of the natural aortic valve. The design and validation of such model is the aim of this project.

Material and Methods Based on previous geometric descriptions of normal anatomy, a computer-assisted design software was used to construct the new model. The theoretical aortic valve was made of three identical cusps in the closed position, and this model was replicated across a range of proposed aortic root diameters. To validate the new model, it was compared to the precise geometric descriptions of natural aortic valve cusps.

Results: Direct comparisons of basic cusp dimensions were performed, then ratios of various dimensions were related, neither revealing any statistically significant difference between the new model and the anatomical studies. This confirms the validity of the new model in representing the complex geometry of aortic valve components.

Conclusions: A valid geometric model of the natural aortic valve was developed to assist in designing new reference instruments. Such tools will assist in the systematic intra-operative assessment of the aortic valve, and would guide the application of valve repair techniques. This model can also be used in the development of new aortic valve preservation techniques