How the shape of heart valve scaffolds affects blood flow and tissue health

Reciprocal effects between scaffold geometry and ventricular vortex flow on viability and performance of tissue-engineered mitral valve

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-11001556

This study is looking at how the shapes of scaffolds used to create new heart valves can affect blood flow, with the goal of making these valves work better for people with mitral valve disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001556 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between the geometry of scaffolds used in tissue-engineered mitral valves and the flow of blood in the heart. By understanding how different scaffold shapes influence the natural vortex flow of blood, the study aims to improve the viability and performance of these engineered valves. The approach includes preclinical studies to assess how these factors affect the regeneration of heart valve tissues, which is crucial for developing effective treatments for mitral valve disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are younger patients suffering from mitral valve disease who may require valve replacement.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced heart disease or those who are not candidates for valve replacement may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective tissue-engineered heart valves that last longer and function better in younger patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in tissue engineering has shown promise in developing heart valves, but this specific approach focusing on scaffold geometry and vortex flow is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.