Influence of Valsalva sinus on flow field around the aortic valve and the valve characteristics

One of the well known cures for the aortic regurgitateon is a vascular grafting surgery using a composite graft as an artificial ascending aorta and an artificial valve. Although, almost all conventional grafts do not have Valsalva sinus at the aortic root, the influence of omitting the sinus have not yet been clarified. In order to understand the effect of the sinuses at aortic root on the valve characteristics and flow field around the valve and furthermore the coronary blood flow, the authors have fabricated some realistic models of aortic valve using 3D modeling machine, and have investigated the effect of the sinus existence by PIV. As the result, flow into coronary artery around the Valsalva sinus was smoothly than the straight wall model at early diastole. Consequently it was concluded from a standpoint of flow and valve characteristics that the sinus had an important role for the aortic valve and the inlet of the coronary circulation.