Researchers from the University of B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Okanagan campus have developed a new and advanced mechanical heart valve that could have a major impact on the way cardiovascular surgeries are performed.

When biomedical engineering professor Hadi Mohammadi thinks about revolutionizing cardiovascular biomechanics, he looks at it as a chess match.

害羞草研究所淭he complexity of the heart mirrors the complexity of chess,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淔or many years, few innovative approaches have taken place in either realm. But we think with our new synthetic heart valve, we may have just addressed one such complexity with a real solution.害羞草研究所�

According to Mohammadi, about half of synthetic heart valve replacements are bioprosthetic and half are mechanical, each with their own limitations. Mechanical valves have traditionally had excellent lifespans but had difficulty managing blood flow; whereas bioprosthetic valves have had the opposite problem.

Mohammadi says his valve offers the best of both worlds.

害羞草研究所淭his new valve design addresses some of the shortcomings of the existing solutions by providing more circulation through the heart by virtue of its innovative design.害羞草研究所�

Mohammadi believes his new heart valve will be a game changer for surgeons and patients alike. And he害羞草研究所檚 not alone.

Dr. Guy Fradet is the head of cardiovascular surgery at Kelowna General Hospital and a partner on the research. Fradet says the new valve has the potential to replace two existing valve designs that have been used since 1977 and 1994, respectively.

While significant additional development and testing is required before the valve will be available to doctors, both Mohammadi and Fradet are excited about the next steps.

害羞草研究所淚f our designs and hypothesis hold up to further testing, this new valve design could replace all existing heart valves, both mechanical and bioprosthetic,害羞草研究所� said Mohammadi. 害羞草研究所淚t could revolutionize cardiovascular surgery.害羞草研究所�