PATIENTS-SPECIFIC IMAGE-BASED FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF AORTIC VALVE STENOSIS

Abstract

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a progressive and serious heart disease that impairs normal blood flow and increases cardiac workload. To better understand its biomechanical effects, this thesis constructed a patient-specific image-based finite element model (FEM) of the aortic valve using echocardiographic data from a patient with severe calcified AVS. Three-dimensional valve geometry was reconstructed based on ultrasound images, and appropriate material properties were given to healthy and calcified tissues. Simulations were performed under physiological stress conditions to evaluate leaflet displacement, stress distribution, effective orifice area (EOA), and morphological changes. The results showed significant asymmetry in leaflet motion, with stress concentrations in calcified areas and a maximum von Mises stress of 0.91 MPa. The calculated EOA value was 0.68 cm², confirming severe stenosis. Morphological analysis showed abnormal leaflet curvature and incomplete anastomosis, suggesting functional impairment beyond the scope of conventional imaging examinations. This thesis demonstrated that finite element analysis provides deeper biomechanical insights into AVS progression, which has important implications for early diagnosis, surgical planning, and personalized treatment strategies.