Researchers at UBC Okanagan have engineered a novel mechanical heart valve, dubbed the iValve, that aims to merge the strengths of both mechanical and tissue heart valves. This innovation seeks to provide a long-lasting solution with improved performance, potentially transforming the lives of patients requiring heart valve replacements. Led by Dr. Hadi Mohammadi at the Heart Valve Performance Laboratory, the iValve is designed to address the limitations of current heart valve technologies.
iValve: Combining Durability and Performance
The iValve represents a significant advancement in heart valve technology. Traditional tissue valves, while offering superior performance due to their shape, typically last only 15 to 20 years, necessitating further replacements. Mechanical valves, on the other hand, can last a lifetime but often require patients to take daily anticoagulants due to their less optimal performance. Dr. Mohammadi explains that the iValve combines the best of both worlds, offering the durability of mechanical valves with the enhanced performance of tissue valves.
"We have produced a new mechanical heart valve that combines the best of both worlds—offering the performance of tissue valves with the long-lasting durability of mechanical valves. We believe this valve could make life easier and safer for patients," said Dr. Mohammadi.
Addressing Pediatric Needs
One of the most promising aspects of the iValve is its suitability for pediatric patients. Mechanical heart valve replacements have historically faced challenges in adapting the technology for the smallest hearts, particularly in infants. The iValve is specifically designed for high-heart-rate applications, making it an ideal solution for this vulnerable population.
"What is particularly exciting about the iValve is that it was specifically designed for high-heart-rate applications, such as in pediatric patients," Dr. Mohammadi noted.
Hemodynamic Performance and Lifestyle Improvements
Dr. Dylan Goode, Heart Valve Performance Lab Manager, emphasized the potential for improved hemodynamic performance with the iValve. This improvement could significantly reduce or eliminate the need for routine anticoagulant therapy, which carries risks such as severe bleeding, blood clots, and tissue damage. The iValve promises not only a longer-lasting valve but also a better quality of life for patients.
"We have shown that the iValve can provide the structural benefits of a mechanical heart valve and last a patient's lifespan while providing improved hemodynamic performance, meaning an improvement of the way in which blood flows through vessels," said Dr. Goode.
Next Steps: Animal and Clinical Trials
Having demonstrated promising results in mechanical lab tests, the researchers are now preparing to move the iValve into animal and clinical trials. If these trials are successful, the iValve could be ready for widespread use within two years. The team is also working on adapting the technology for other heart valves, such as the mitral valve, which regulates blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle.
The development of the iValve was made possible through an international collaboration with ViVitro Labs and independent consultants Lawrence Scotten and Rolland Siegel. The research was funded by Angeleno Medical and published in the Journal of Biomechanics.
