Figure 1
Fluid mechanics of the aortic valve. Schematic representation of the system composed of left ventricle, aortic valve and ascending aorta with corresponding static pressure (P) and energy in terms of total pressure (P+4 V2). LVOT indicates left ventricular outflow tract, V indicates LVOT velocity, AOA indicates anatomic aortic area and VC indicates the vena contracta position, cross-sectional area of VC corresponds to the valve effective orifice area. Magnetic resonance velocity measurements at vena contracta (10 mm from the aortic valve) were used to compute dimensionless flow parameters and vorticity magnitude. AAo indicates ascending aorta.