The Preclinical Uses of Isolated Heart Models and Anatomic Specimens as Means to Enhance the Design and Testing of Cardiac Valve Therapies

In recent years, the preclinical uses of both perfusion fixed cadaveric specimens and reanimated heart models have aided in the development of our improved understanding of the device-tissue interface as well as contributed to the rapid evolution of surgically and percutaneously delivered valve therapies. This chapter describes a novel series of techniques utilized within the Visible Heart^® laboratories for the past 25 years by engineers, scientists, and anatomists to visualize and analyze the forms and functions of the four cardiac valves and assess potential repair or replacement therapies. The study of reanimated large mammalian hearts (including human) and specially prepared anatomical specimens using various clinical and nonclinical imaging modalities has provided critical understanding for both design engineers and clinicians that seek to develop and/or employ valve repair approaches for patients with acquired or congenital heart valve defects.