Computational analyses of mechanically induced collagen fiber remodeling in the aortic heart valve

To optimize the mechanical properties and integrity of tissue-engineered aortic heart valves, it is necessary to gain insight into the effects of mechanical stimuli on the mechanical behavior of the tissue using mathematical models. In this study, a finite-element (FE) model is presented to relate c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of biomechanical engineering Vol. 125; no. 4; p. 549
Main Authors Driessen, Niels J, Boerboom, Ralf A, Huyghe, Jacques M, Bouten, Carlijn V, Baaijens, Frank P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.2003
Subjects
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Animals
Aortic Valve - physiology
Collagen - physiology
Computer Simulation
Culture Techniques - methods
Elasticity
Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology
Models, Cardiovascular
Physical Stimulation - methods
Stress, Mechanical
Swine
Tissue Engineering - methods
Weight-Bearing - physiology
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Summary:To optimize the mechanical properties and integrity of tissue-engineered aortic heart valves, it is necessary to gain insight into the effects of mechanical stimuli on the mechanical behavior of the tissue using mathematical models. In this study, a finite-element (FE) model is presented to relate changes in collagen fiber content and orientation to the mechanical loading condition within the engineered construct. We hypothesized that collagen fibers aligned with principal strain directions and that collagen content increased with the fiber stretch. The results indicate that the computed preferred fiber directions run from commissure to commissure and show a strong resemblance to experimental data from native aortic heart valves.
ISSN:0148-0731
DOI:10.1115/1.1590361