Research

Recent advancements in transcatheter devices for mitral valve (MV) repair have significantly expanded treatment options for patients with mitral regurgitation. However, around 25% of patients experience moderate or severe regurgitation shortly after the transcatheter repair procedure. Additionally, knowledge regarding the long-term durability of these repairs remains limited, and thus open-heart surgery is still often chosen as the preferred treatment method. For many high-risk patients, however, surgery is not a viable option, positioning transcatheter repair as an attractive alternative. Our team uses imaging-based computational modeling to evaluate how different transcatheter devices interact with individual valve anatomies, helping clinicians in tailoring treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Surgical repair of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is frequently challenged by a high rate of recurrence and the need for reoperation. Several techniques can be used to repair FMR, and undersizing mitral annuloplasty is the preferred approach today.  However, while resizing the mitral annulus helps to restore sufficient valve closure, tethering forces are not reduced, resulting in unphysiological leaflet mobility and coaptation, which compromises repair durability over time. Innovative approaches that can repair FMR effectively and durably are needed. Using patient-specific predictive modeling, we investigate the effects of novel FMR repair strategies, aiming to reduce recurrence rates and improve long-term repair outcomes.

Repair and reconstruction of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the current gold standard of care for this condition. While MVP repair can be performed in a variety of ways, they generally are classified into two categories: non-resective and resective techniques. Non-resective techniques preserve the native leaflet tissue and are focused on implanting and adjusting artificial chordae to restore valve closure, while resective techniques remove a portion of the leaflet tissue to realign intact chordae. Both techniques have merit, but post-repair valve biomechanics can differ significantly, often affecting tissue remodeling and durability. We use ultrasound-derived computational models to investigate MVP repair techniques, aiming to provide insights that could help guide and improve surgical decision-making for these patients.