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Aortic Stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the only acceptable treatment for AS. Several replacement methods are available to treat AS including conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SuAVR). SAVR showed excellent long-term results. However, it is an invasive procedure and is denied in substantial number of patients. TAVR showed excellent results and outcomes when compared to SAVR. However, it is associated with increased rate of paravalvular leaks that may impact long term outcomes. SuAVR has developed to overcome the drawbacks of SAVR and TAVR. SuAVR is associated with favorable short and midterm outcomes when compared to SAVR and TAVR. In this thesis, we summarize the safety, the evidence and the perceptions of using SuAVR in Canada. In Chapter1, we evaluated the use of SuAVR Perceval bioprosthesis in retrospective single center study of 415 patients with AS. SuAVR showed excellent immediate post-operative and hemodynamics outcomes. In chapter 2, we sought to establish perceptions and patterns to SuAVR use among Canadian cardiac surgeons. Sixty-Six Canadian cardiac Surgeons responded to the survey. Surgeons reported influential factors, barriers to use SuAVR, and their interest in a trial comparing SuAVR versus TAVR. Surgeons were likely to use SuAVR in high risk patients with hostile aortic root, small aortic annulus and in patients undergoing concomitant procedures whereas cost was the main limiting factor to use SuAVR in Canada. Majority of surgeons reported their interest in participating in a trial comparing SuAVR with TAVR. In chapter 3, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the international evidence of using SuAVR versus SAVR and TAVR. SuAVR showed favorable or comparable results to SAVR and TAVR. However, long term and randomized data are needed to confirm these results. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is considered the most common valvular heart disease, which caused by narrowing of the aortic valve. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the only acceptable treatment to relieve the stenosis. Several strategies are available including conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and sutureless aortic valve replacement (SuAVR). SAVR is an invasive procedure and denied in a considerable number of patients with aortic stenosis due to aging and presence of multiple diseases leading to higher risk of complications. TAVR is less invasive option and showed excellent results when compared to SAVR. However, it was associated with complications. SuAVR has developed to overcome some of the drawbacks of SAVR and TAVR. SuAVR is associated with short operation time and less complications compared to SAVR and TAVR. This thesis summarizes the safety, perceptions and evidence surrounding the use of SuAVR.

L’hypertrophie du ventricule gauche est une complication fréquente chez les gens souffrant de sténose aortique. Lorsque ces patients subissent un remplacement de la valve aortique, l’ampleur de la régression de l’hypertrophie dépend de plusieurs facteurs hémodynamiques qui sont peu ou pas modifiables. Dans ce travail, l’implication de la parathormone dans l’hypertrophie du ventricule gauche chez ces patients a été évaluée. Il s’agit d’une étude transversale comptant 195 patients recrutés 8±3,5 ans après leur chirurgie. La fonction et la masse ventriculaire gauche ont été évaluées par échocardiographie Doppler. Des mesures du niveau plasmatique de parathormone, de vitamine D, de calcium et de phosphate ont été obtenues. Les résultats démontrent que le niveau de parathormone est associé de façon indépendante et significative avec la masse ventriculaire gauche et l’hypertrophie du ventricule gauche. De plus, le niveau de vitamine D et la fonction rénale étaient en corrélation inverse avec le niveau de parathormone. / Left ventricular hypertrophy is a frequent complication in patients suffering from aortic stenosis. When these patients undergo an aortic valve replacement, the extent to which the left ventricular hypertrophy regresses depends on hemodynamic factors, which are often irreversible. In this work, we investigated the contribution of parathormone to left ventricular hypertrophy in these patients. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated 195 patients at a mean of 8±3.5 years following their aortic valve replacement. Left ventricular function and mass were measured by Doppler echocardiography. We dosed the plasma levels of parathormone, vitamin D, calcium and phosphate. The results showed an independent and significant association between parathormone blood level and left ventricular mass and hypertrophy. Furthermore, plasma level of vitamin D and renal function were inversely correlated with plasma level of parathormone.

CCONTEXTE : En chirurgie cardiaque, la lésion myocardique ischémique péri-opératoire est associée à une augmentation significative de la morbidité et de la mortalité cardiovasculaire. L’exposition au préconditionnement ischémique à distance (remote ischemic preconditioning ou RIPC) pourrait prévenir aider cette lésion myocardique. L’effet du RIPC lors d’une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique isolé a été étudié. MÉTHODES : Entre mai 2014 et juin 2018, dans un centre hospitalier tertiaire (Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, [IUCPQ], Québec, Canada), 81 patients ont été randomisés, en double aveugle, au groupe RIPC ou au groupe contrôle. Le RIPC était effectué à l’aide de sphygmomanomètres, soit au membre supérieur droit ou aux membres supérieur et inférieur droits. L’issue primaire impliquait le dosage sérié des biomarqueurs d’ischémie myocardique en période postopératoire. RÉSULTATS : Les patients étaient majoritairement des hommes (58%) et l’âge moyen était de 68,7 ans. Les caractéristiques de base étaient similaires dans les deux groupes, sauf pour la classe fonctionnelle. Il n’y avait pas de différence significative entre les deux groupes en regard des taux de troponines T HS et de CK-MB postopératoires (p>0,05). Les analyses de sous-groupes n’ont pas démontré de différence dans l’élévation des troponines T HS selon le nombre de sites d’ischémie et de reperfusion (p>0,05). Le RIPC n’était pas associé à une réduction de la mortalité à 30 jours (p=1,0) et n’influençait pas la fonction cardiaque (p=0,9) ou la classe fonctionnelle (NYHA p=0,09; CCS p=0,05) au suivi à 3 mois. CONCLUSION : Le RIPC n’a pas démontré d’effet cardioprotecteur lors d’une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique isolé. D’autres essais cliniques randomisés d’envergure seront nécessaires pour statuer sur le potentiel effet cardioprotecteur du RIPC en chirurgie valvulaire. / BACKGROUND : Perioperative myocardial injury is associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the cardiac surgery population. The use of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) could help preventing myocardial injury. We studied the effect of RIPC in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement surgery. METHODS : Between May 2014 and June 2018, in a tertiary care center (Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, [IUCPQ], Quebec, Canada), 81 patients were randomized in a double blind fashion to RIPC or control group. RIPC was performed using a pressure cuff either only on the right upper extremity or on both the right upper and lower extremities. Primary outcome was defined as post-operative elevation of cardiac enzymes. RESULTS : Patients were predominantly male (58%) with a mean age of 68.7 years. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar except for NYHA functional class. There were no significant differences in the postoperative levels of troponins HS T and CK-MB in the RIPC group when compared to the control group (p>0.05). In subgroup analysis, the use of multiple sites RIPC did not show a difference in troponins HS T levels when compared to the use of a single site RIPC or control group (p>0.05). RIPC was not associated with a reduction in postoperative all-cause mortality (p=1.0). RIPC did not influence cardiac function (p=0.9) or physical activity tolerance (NYHA p=0.09; CCS p=0.05) at 3 months follow-up. CONCLUSION : RIPC has not demonstrated a cardioprotective effect during aortic valve replacement surgery. Larger multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to further investigate the potential cardioprotective effect of RIPC.

Electro-hydraulic proportional flow valves are widely used in hydraulic industry. There are several different structures and working principles. However, flow valves based on the existing principles usually have some shortcomings such as the complexity of the system and additional energy losses. A concept for a two-stage poppet flow valve with pilot pressure drop – pilot spool opening compensation is presented, and the linear relationship between the pilot stage and main stage, the semi-empirical flow equation are used in the electronic flow controller. To achieve the accurate control of the outlet flow, the actual input voltage of the pilot spool valve is regulated according to the actual pilot pressure drop, the desired flow rate and the given input voltage. The results show that the pilot pressure drop – pilot spool opening compensation method is feasible, and the proposed proportional flow control valve with this compensation method has a good static and dynamic performance.

<p>Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disease in the adult population. A significant aortic stenosis is a serious condition, and if a symptomatic patient is not operated on, it may in most cases cause death. We have examined how many aortic stenoses that were diagnosed during one year, and a follow-up of the patients was also performed. We found 77 patients with significant aortic stenosis with a mean age of 76±13 years. At the time of follow-up 30 (39%) patients, aged between 29-85 years, had been surgically treated with implantation of a valve prosthesis within 2-23 months after the initial examination. At this initial examination 14 of the 30 patients who later underwent surgery had no symptoms. A coronary bypass operation was also performed on seven patients. Postoperative complications were observed in six patients, but none of them was fatal. At the initial examinations there were 26 (34%) patients with a significant aortic stenosis and symptoms who were not treated surgically. The main reason why these patients were not operated was high age, unwillingness, or severe left ventricular dysfunction. This study indicates the importance of repeated clinical and echocardiograpic examinations in patients with aortic stenosis. Almost half of the patients, that later underwent surgery, had no symptoms at the initial examination, but later developed symptoms which made surgery necessary. In one third of the patients no surgery was performed in spite of clinical symptoms.</p>

Conventional echocardiographic parameters are currently used in determining the timing for surgery in patients with mitral regurgitation. Since brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) rises in response to ventricular muscle stretch, and is to detect early heart failure, we hypothesized that BNP would be activated in patients with regurgitant valvular heart disease and concomitant left ventricular dilatation. Aim/Objectives: We therefore studied the pattern of changes in NT-pro BNP in patients with chronic severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation who were undergoing mitral valve replacement and compared this with the newer modality of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Setting: Patients submitted to surgery were prospectively evaluated over 8 months at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Department of Cardiology. Controls were obtained from the outpatients' follow-up clinic. Methods: Simultaneous quantification of the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR), left ventricular (LV) end systolic volume (ESV), left atrial (LA) volume and Doppler filling ratios (mitral (E)/annulus (Ea)) were performed at baseline in all patients and was repeated at 1-week and at the six-week follow-up visit in surgical patients. Results: Both groups were similar for age and gender and echo-Doppler parameters in all patients preoperatively except LA size (p< 0.01) and volume (p<0.004) which were more elevated in the surgical group. Mean NT-pro BNP levels were markedly elevated preoperatively (262 pmolll) in all surgical cases compared to controls (57 pmol/l; p=0.0001). NT-pro BNP levels increased further at one week post surgery (395 pmol/l) and subsided at the six week follow-up visit (94 pmol/I). These changes were accompanied by significant reduction in LA (p= 0.003) and LV chamber dimensions (EDD = 0.004) with an increase in the ejection fraction from 42% at one week to 52 % at six weeks. Four patients had abnormally elevated NT-pro BNP levels (>53pmol/l) at the 6-week follow-up visit. A ROC curve was constructed for all variables to separate surgical cases from controls. The area under the curve was highest for NT-pro BNP (sensitivity= 96%, specificity 45 %). Conclusion: 1. There was a significant difference in the left atrial chamber size and volume, as well as Em/Ea (TDI) and NT-proBNP levels preoperatively between the two groups. The lack of a significant difference in the LV parameters between surgical and control groups suggest an almost total reliance on symptoms in deciding the timing of surgery which was reflected by markedly elevated NT-pro BNP in all surgical patients. 2. Postoperatively, there was a significant reduction in LA and LV dimensions. 3. The high false positivity rate for NT-pro BNP suggests that the test is most likely reflecting early LV decompensation in the less symptomatic control patients who rightly need surgery. 4. Tissue Doppler indices had similar sensitivity but low specificity compared to NT-proBNP. 5. Serial estimations of NT-pro BNP may prove useful in selecting patients for surgery. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

This master’s thesis is made to increase the understanding of the dynamic characteristics of a typical large swing check valve used in a system that transports pressurized water to a reactor tank.3D FSI-simulations are performed for a number of transients in order to study the dynamic characteristics their dependence of the deceleration rate. The purpose is to find information about the dynamics that could be used in a future improvement of a 1D-model.Steady state simulations are performed for angles in the whole spectrum. Seven transient FSI-simulations with different constantly decelerating flows from 630 kg/s2 (6.7 m/s2) to 40 320 kg/s2 (430 m/s2) have been performed. The pressure on the disc caused by the hydraulic torque is integrated and the corresponding torque contribution, together with the weight torque, is used in the second law of motion to calculate the movement of the disc throughout the transients.Steady state simulations yield the pressure drop over the valve, which could be compared with field measurements in order to validate the CFD-simulations. Comparison of the pressure distribution on the disc for the steady state and transient simulations shows the importance of taking the disc angular velocity into account when modelling in 1D. Correlations between the angle, angular velocity, torque and mass flow are obtained from the transient FSI-simulations. Torque coefficients according to (Li &amp; Liou, Vol. 125) are also brought out from the simulated transients, but in order to create a model in line with this approach further simulations have to be performed. A prediction of the pressure rise that occurs when a swing check valve closes in backward flow according to the Joukowsky equation is brought out and gives an idea of the loadings that the system has to be able to handle.

Background: Aortic valve insufficiency (AI) at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion needs to be corrected, however there is little known about how to manage bioprosthetic valvular AI. Case presentation: A 55-year-old female with dilated cardiomyopathy who previously had a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement needed a LVAD as a bridge to transplant. Her left ventricular ejection fraction was 10% and had mild to moderate transvalvular AI. She underwent a HeartWare HVAD insertion along with aortic valvular coaptation stitch repair (Park's stitch) to the bioprosthetic valve. Conclusion: Her AI improved to trivial with minimal ejection through the bioprosthetic valve. She was transplanted 6 months following the surgery. A Park's stitch to the bioprosthetic aortic valve with more than mild AI might be a good option for bridge to transplant patient.