An improved method for determining the flow characteristics of prosthetic mitral heart valves

Abstract

The flow characteristics of most prosthetic mitral valves recommended for clinical use have not been adequately investigated. As a result vital information about their performance is lacking and, until this is published, comparisons between different prostheses cannot easily be made. In this paper the design and construction of a suitable rig for the testing of such valves is described. The results obtained will be presented in a subsequent paper.