Synchronous Dynamic In-Vivo Deformation of the Mitral Valve Leaflet and Annulus

Improvements in mitral valve (MV) treatments are dependent on a complete understanding of the function, mechanical properties, and underlying mechanobiological responses of the MV. While finite element analyses have provided insight into the cooperative interactions of MV components [1], a lack of quantitative information on the dynamic MV boundary conditions and synchronous leaflet deformation limits present modeling efforts [2]. In this work, we utilized high fidelity transducers implanted in the ovine MV annulus and anterior leaflet to quantify the complete 3D MV kinematics in synchrony. Additionally, effects of systolic blood pressure (SBP) variations on annular and leaflet deformation were investigated.