Velocity field of a Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis: influence of the disc orientation.

An experimental investigation was carried out on the development of physiological flows downstream of a Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis. The post-valvular velocity field was determined by an ultrasonic method in an elastic model of the aortic arch. The flow development in the ascending aorta was strongly dependent on the orientation of the tilting disc. The rotating direction of the vortices and the site of the maximum velocity were influenced by the orientation.