Myxomatous Mitral Valve Mechanical Characterization

The mitral valve (MV) along with the tricuspid valve are part of the atriovalvar complex and, when committed by myxomatous disease, suffers from tissue degeneration with severs changes in its mechanical properties, consequently loosing its coaptation capability, resulting in the well known Mitral Regurgitation (MR). This paper presents the results of stress x strain tests of 19 mitral valve posterior leaflets committed by myxomatous disease extracted from patients undergoing MV repair surgery. Due to their dimensions, only uni axial testes were performed, i.e., only the radial direction was considered. Are presented the Young Modulus, Yielding and Linearity limits. The Young Modulus obtained for myxomatous MV are compared to normal values found in the literature.