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Prescott et al. Vessel Plus 2019;3:13 Vessel Plus
DOI: 10.20517/2574-1209.2018.70

Original Article Open Access

Computational evaluation of mitral valve repair with
MitraClip

Brandon Prescott , Chad J. Abunassar , Konstantinos P. Baxevanakis , Liguo Zhao 1,3
1
2
1
1 Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough
LE11 3TU, UK.
2 Abbott Vascular, 3200 Lakeside Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA.
3 School of Mechanical and Equipment Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China.

Correspondence to: Prof. Liguo Zhao, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough
University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK. E-mail: L.Zhao@Lboro.ac.uk
How to cite this article: Prescott B, Abunassar CJ, Baxevanakis KP, Zhao L. Computational evaluation of mitral valve repair with
MitraClip. Vessel Plus 2019;3:13. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2018.70
Received: 7 Nov 2018 First Decision: 14 Jan 2019 Revised: 12 Feb 2019 Accepted: 4 Mar 2019 Published: 19 Apr 2019

Science Editor: Alexander D. Verin Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Huan-Liang Wu

Abstract
Aim: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of MitraClip implantation as a solution to severe mitral regurgitation
(MR) in the case of posterior leaflet prolapse due to hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and chordae rupture.

Methods: NX CAD software was used to create a surface geometric model for the mitral valve (MV). A hyperelastic
material model, calibrated against experimental results, was used to describe stress-strain responses of the MV leaflets,
and a spring element approach was used to describe chordae response. Abaqus CAE was employed to create a finite
element model for diseased MV suffering from MR. The effectiveness of MitraClip implantation on valve function was
investigated by simulating the deformation of diseased valve, with and without MitraClip repair, during peak systole and
diastole. Leaflet deformation and stress distributions were used to assess the effectiveness of the procedure.

Results: Overall, significant improvement was achieved for the diseased valve after MitraClip implantation. Prior to the
introduction of the clip, the diseased valve was subjected to posterior leaflet prolapse which would induce a jet of MR.
Once the MitraClip was included in the simulation, the valve leaflets were able to close and seal off, almost entirely at
peak systolic condition without a significant impact on the stress distribution of the valve leaflets.

Conclusion: The results in this study provide further evidence to support MitraClip repair as a viable treatment for high-
risk patients suffering from severe MR, and also highlight the need for further research into such an advanced, minimally
invasive surgery technique.

© The Author(s) 2019. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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