Improving patient outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery for aortic stenosis

Study of haemodynamic perturbations after percutaneous valve implantation

Dr Gaetano Burriesci has been awarded a PhD studentship to work out how to improve patient outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), an operation where a new valve is manoeuvred up the femoral artery and inserted inside the diseased narrowed aortic valve to take over its function. Despite being a minimally invasive procedure, TAVI is associated with an increased risk of dementia, which may be due to tiny blood clots forming around the artificial valve and then blocking off vessels that supply the brain with oxygen. In this project, the UCL team aims to gain a deeper understanding of how patterns of blood flow are altered by TAVI by studying physical models of a valve replacement using a special technique called particle image velocimetry. In particular, Dr Burriesci is looking at turbulent blood flow in the pouches around the valve. This can lead to the formation of clots. By understanding what can go wrong, the researchers may be able to avoid these complications and improve the safety of TAVI. Surgical techniques for people with cardiovascular disease have improved dramatically since the BHF was founded. But there’s still much to do to further improve their success rates. By better understanding why complications occur following this procedure, the researchers can improve patient outcome and safety.