Cardiac simulations of regurgitant jets in mitral valve, for different pathological cases, in steady and pulsatile flow

In order to assess the quantification of valvular heart insufficiency in adult echocardiography, we simulate flow dynamics in different models of mitral regurgitation (shapes and sizes) in steady and unsteady flow. The length, width and contraction coefficient of potential core, defined as the velocity zone where velocities are equal or superior to orifice velocity, obtained with physiologic and pressure flow conditions, were nearly the same for each pathologic case (perforation, restrictive form and prolapsed case). The simulation was realised on several cardiac cycles, to see the evolution of jets with time. To validate the numerical model, we have developed an experimental bench with laser plane and ultrasound methods to get the velocity field and jet characteristics.