When a patient needs a new heart valve, the available mechanical and tissue options each come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Now, researchers believe they have discovered a method to combine the strengths of both types of technologies, which could have a significant impact on patients’ lives.
A team from UBC Okanagan has developed a revolutionary approach that taps into the benefits of both mechanical and tissue heart valves, potentially transforming and saving lives. Dr. Hadi Mohammadi and his colleagues at the Heart Valve Performance Laboratory are dedicated to creating the future of mechanical heart valves.
Dr. Mohammadi, an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering, explains that their latest project, called the iValve, represent their most innovative work to date. This new valve merges the advantages of mechanical and tissue technologies to enhance the performance of heart valve replacements.
“Typically, tissue valves offer better functionality compared to mechanical valves because of their design, but they have a lifespan of only 15 to 20 years on average, necessitating another surgery. In contrast, mechanical valves can last a lifetime, but they don’t perform as well as tissue valves and require patients to take daily blood-thinning medications,” says Dr. Mohammadi.
“We have created a new mechanical heart valve that provides the performance characteristics of tissue valves while also benefiting from the durability of mechanical valves. We believe this new option could significantly improve safety and quality of life for patients,” he adds.
This innovative valve came to fruition through a global partnership with ViVitro Labs and independent consultants Lawrence Scotten and Rolland Siegel. The research was backed by Angeleno Medical and was recently detailed in the Journal of Biomechanics.
“This is the first valve of its kind developed and constructed in Canada,” emphasizes Dr. Mohammadi. “We take immense pride in this accomplishment as a showcase of the engineering creativity emerging from UBC and Canada.”
Dr. Mohammadi also highlights that, although mechanical heart valve replacements have been used for a long time, a persistent challenge has been to refine the technology for the smallest patients – infants.
“What makes the iValve particularly exciting is its design for high-heart-rate scenarios, making it ideal for pediatric patients,” says Dr. Mohammadi.
With the prototype showing promising results in mechanical laboratory tests, the researchers are preparing to move ahead with animal and clinical testing. If everything proceeds as planned, they anticipate that the iValve could enter these trials within the next two years.
During this period, they will also utilize the insights and methods learned to create additional valves.
“This valve is made to facilitate blood flow to the aorta, the largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart throughout the organism,” explains Dr. Mohammadi. “Our next goal is to build a valve for the mitral location, which controls the flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle, ensuring there is no backflow between these chambers.”
Heart Valve Performance Lab Manager Dr. Dylan Goode is optimistic about the prospective benefits the iValve may offer patients.
Dr. Goode joined Dr. Mohammadi in 2018 while pursuing his Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering. He has recently defended his doctoral dissertation, detailing his work on the design, fabrication, and testing of the iValve.
“We have demonstrated that the iValve can provide the structural advantages of mechanical heart valves, lasting for a patient’s lifetime. Additionally, it enhances hemodynamic performance, which refers to the movement of blood through the vessels,” says Dr. Goode.
Dr. Goode adds that the introduction of the iValve could lead to a significant upgrade in lifestyle for patients who currently rely on ongoing anticoagulant therapy – blood thinners – which can elevate their risk for severe bleeding, blood clots, or damage to tissues and organs if blood flow is disrupted.
