Flow-Dependency of Aortic Valve Opening: Development of a precise Diagnostic tool for patients with Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis

Principal Investigator: 
Dr. Eric Buffle, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern. For more information, please visit the following websites:
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research 

Co-Investigator:
PD Dr. med. Stefano de Marchi, Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern
Prof. Dr. Dominik Obrist, Professor for Cardiovascular Engineering, University of Bern, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research  

Aortic stenosis, the most common valvular disease, may be difficult to diagnose because rigid valve leaflet and reduced flow may both cause impaired valve opening.

In this translational project, we are developing an in-vitro model that quantitatively characterizes the relationship between flow and aortic valve opening.

We will then validate the model in an in-vivo study in patients who require an external circulation device. In this situation, transaortic flow can gradually be varied by a large extent.

The goal of this project is to allow a better understanding of the physiologic basis underlying the echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic stenosis.