Mitral valve modelling in ischemic patients: Finite element analysis from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

The goal of the present work was to develop a framework for the analysis of time-varying mitral valve (MV) geometry from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and to integrate these data in a patient-specific simulation of MV closure. CMR imaging of 18 long-axis planes was performed on a healthy subject and on two ischemic patients with MV regurgitation. MV annulus geometry, leaflets surface and papillary muscles position were obtained using custom software. Hyperelastic anisotropic mechanical properties were assigned to the MV tissues, and a pressure load curve was applied to the leaflets. Results concerning healthy MV biomechanics were consistent with previous computational data. Ischemic MV models appear suitable to mimic the pathological malfunctioning of the valve. The proposed models could constitute the basis for the planning of surgical procedures.