IN-VITRO RIGHT HEART HYDRODYNAMIC INVESTIGATION OF HETEROTOPICALLY IMPLANTED CAVAL VALVED STENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE TRICUSPID REGURGITATION

Abstract

Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) affects approximately 80 – 90% of the healthy human population globally. Currently, surgical techniques used to address severe TR are associated with very high operative mortality risks (22%). Thus, severe TR patients with other comorbidities and/or belonging to the elderly age group are often precluded from treatment. In this study, 2-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry was used on a pulsatile right heart simulator to investigate the ability of an investigational percutaneous heterotopic valve stent implantation treatment method at both vena cava-atrial junctions to restore physiological flow conditions in the Right Heart. Similar to the surgical mechanical valve replacement method used in this study as a treatment comparison, the investigational treatment method was found to promote the restoration of physiological flow fields within the Right Heart. Thus, the investigational treatment method may potentially serve as an alternative treatment method for the severe TR patient population that are precluded from surgery.