How the shape of heart valve scaffolds affects blood flow and tissue health
Official title: Reciprocal effects between scaffold geometry and ventricular vortex flow on viability and performance of tissue-engineered mitral valve
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11001556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $505,017 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162687-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are younger patients suffering from mitral valve disease who may require valve replacement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced heart disease or those who are not candidates for valve replacement may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kheradvar, Arash — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Kheradvar, Arash
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.