Figure 1.
Changes in valve geometry with age.
a) Measured thickness variation (Sahasakul 1988) and b) CAD geometry at ages 20 and 60 years.
Figure 2.
Changes in leaflet extensibility with age (Christie 1995).
a) Measured radial extensibility versus age and b) Circumferential and radial extensibilities used in model at ages 20 and 60.
Figure 3.
Simulated growth of calcified nodules.
Figure 4.
Percent of leaflet covered by calcification versus time.
Figure 5.
Computed geometries and flow velocities at mid-systole at various ages.
Assumptions for calcification model are onset at age 50 and a growth rate of 1 mm/year.
Figure 6.
Peak velocity versus time for normal aging and with calcification.
Figure 7.
Valve effective area versus time for normal aging and with calcification.
Figure 8.
Sensitivity of model to input parameters.
a) age where valve fails versus onset age, with various growth rates, and b) age where valve fails versus growth rate, with various ages of onset.