Three-dimensional visualization of axial velocity profiles downstream of six different mechanical aortic valve prostheses, measured with a hot-film anemometer in a steady state flow model.

Hot-film anemometry was used for in vitro steady-state measurements downstream of six mechanical aortic valve prostheses at flow rates 10, 20 and 30 l.min-1. Three-dimensional visualizations of velocity profiles at two downstream levels were made with the valves rotated 0 and 60 degrees in relation to the sinuses of valsalvae. The velocity fields downstream of the disc valves were generally skew with increasing velocity gradients and laminar shear stresses with increasing flow rates. Furthermore, increased skewness of the velocity profiles was noticed when the major orifices of the disc valves were towards the commissure than when approaching a sinus of valsalvae. The velocity profiles downstream of the ball valve were generally flat but with considerably more disturbed flow, consistent with the findings in turbulent flow.