The combined effects of valvular and ventricular mechanics on cardiovascular function is a field which very little is understood. We aim to generate and understanding of the effects of valvular function on ventricular performance and vice versa.
We have developed an in vitro left heart simulator (LHS) which is able to replicate a multitude of aortic and ventricular pathologies. Dynamic flow and pressure can be made in this system using transducers and probes mounted in line with the flow loop. The LHS is also fully compatible with clinical (MRI and Echocardiography) and laboratory (high-speed stereo photogrammetry and particle image velocimetry) based imaging modalities, thereby allowing a better link between the clinician and engineer to be created.
In addition, we use the techniques developed using our in vitro system and apply the same analysis on patient data, thereby validating our results. Our findings allow for better clinical decision trees to be formulated, treatment options and surgical/treatment timings to be achieved.
Select Publications
- I. Okafor, V. Raghav, G. Kumar, and A. Yoganathan. “The hemodynamic effects of acute aortic regurgitation into a stiffened left ventricle resulting from chronic aortic stenosis.” AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology (2016).
- A. Santhanakrishnan, I. Okafor, G. Kumar, and A. Yoganathan. “Atrial systole enhances intraventricular filling flow propagation during increasing heart rate.” JBM (2016).
- I. Okafor, A. Santhanakrishnan, B. Chaffins, L. Mirabella, J. Oshinski, and A. Yoganathan. “Cardiovascular magnetic resonance compatible physical model of the left ventricle for multi-modality characterization of wall motion and hemodynamics.” JCMR 17, 51-63 (2015).
- I. Okafor, A. Santhanakrishnan, V. Raghav, and A. Yoganathan. “Role of mitral annulus diastolic geometry on intraventricular filling dynamics.” JBME 137, 121007-121016 (2015).