ST-JUDE MEDICAL CARDIAC-VALVE PROSTHESIS - INVITRO STUDIES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 78  (2) , 269-276
Abstract
The St. Jude Medical cardiac valve prosthesis is an all-pyroltic carbon, bileaflet, low profile, central flow device. Prior to clinical use an intensive program of in vitro and in vivo testing was undertaken. Simulated radiographic studies determined that the tungsten impregnation needed to make the valve leaflets radiopaque was 0.013 in. Steady-state flow and pulse duplicator studies demonstrated a high ratio of flow orifice to tissue anulus diameter with low transvalvular pressure gradients. Regurgitation was acceptable. Flow visualization revealed central flow through all 3 flow orifices with minimal turbulence and vorticeal current formation. In vitro comparison with other available cardiac valve devices of various sizes demonstrated superior hemodynamic performance of the St. Jude Medical cardiac valve.