ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the influence of mimic cardiac rate on hydrodynamics of different mechanical prosthetic cardiac valves.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>US-made CarboMedics bileaflet valve, China-made Jiuling bileaflet valve and C-L tilting disc valve were tested via a pulsatile flow simulator in the aortic position. Testing conditions were set at mimic cardiac rates of 55 bpm, 75 bpm, 100 bpm with a constant mimic cardiac output of 4 L/min. The mean pressure differences (deltaP), leakage volumes (L(E)V) and closing volumes (C(L)V) across each valve, and effective orifice areas (EOA) were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Within physiological range, deltaP, L(E)V, and C(L)V decreased as mimic cardiac rate increased, with a large extent of variance. EOA increased along with an increase in mimic cardiac rate. It was a different response in terms of cardiac rate alteration for different types of mechanical prosthetic cardiac valves.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mimic cardiac rate change affects hydrodynamics of mechanical prosthetic cardiac valves. Within physiological range, the hydrodynamic of prosthetic bileaflet valve is better than that of tilting disc valve.</p>