Descripción del proyecto
Cambiar nuestra perspectiva sobre las valvuloplastias
Las válvulas cardíacas protésicas ayudan a las personas con cardiopatías, pero tienen limitaciones. Algunas válvulas hechas con tejido animal no duran mucho, mientras que otras requieren que los pacientes se mediquen de por vida. Teniendo esto en cuenta, el proyecto StreamlineValve, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, tiene por objeto mejorar el flujo sanguíneo a través de válvulas cardíacas poliméricas, reduciendo así la trombosis relacionada con el flujo. Su diseño patentado de válvulas cardíacas poliméricas modifica el campo de flujo para reducir así los factores de coagulación, tal como se ha demostrado satisfactoriamente «in vitro». El proyecto promete un cambio de mentalidad: válvulas duraderas que previenen un tratamiento farmacológico de por vida e implantadas mediante procedimientos transcatéter. StreamlineValve podría revolucionar las válvulas cardiacas protésicas, ofreciendo longevidad, mejor calidad de vida y mayor seguridad para el paciente.
Objetivo
Prosthetic Heart Valves (HV), both biological (BHV) and mechanical (MHV), have improved the survival rate and the quality of life of valvular heart-disease patients over the last six decades. While BHVs, taken from animal tissue, show improved hemodynamics, their durability is limited, whereas MHVs can last a patient's entire lifetime but require lifetime anticoagulation medication to reduce thrombotic complications. Future Polymeric HVs (PHV) hold the potential for enhanced durability compared to BHVs, while potentially avoiding the necessity for anticoagulation therapy that MHVs demand. However, the problem of flow-related thrombosis in PHVs remains a critical challenge.
Generally, flow-related thrombosis complications can be avoided by altering the flow field around the PHV, such as reducing vortices and circulatory hemodynamic structures as well as decreasing shear stresses which can lead to platelet activation. Inspired by passive flow control in nature and in the aerodynamics industry, where manipulation of fluid flow via a small configuration change provides large engineering benefits in swimming or flying, we aim to use a flow control strategy to optimize blood flow through PHVs. More specifically, in StreamlineValve, we present a new, patented, PHV that is designed to alter the flow field around the valve in a manner that reduces the primary factors contributing to coagulation on PHVs. We have already successfully demonstrated this concept in vitro in a modified MHV. In this PoC, we propose to extend this to the future of prosthetic valves via a flow controlled PHV that can be implanted via a simple transcatheter procedure avoiding undesired surgical procedures. Altogether, StreamlineValve represents a paradigm shift in the realm of prosthetic HVs, offering the potential to enhance valve longevity, quality of life, and patient safety.
Ámbito científico
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineangiologyvascular diseases
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsfluid dynamics
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerysurgical procedures
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaeronautical engineering
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsInstitución de acogida
32000 Haifa
Israel