Abstract:Objective To elucidate the influence of two procedures aortic root remodeling using a straight tubular artificial vessel while preserving the aortic valve and the Florida sleeve procedure on the biomechanics of the aortic root. Methods Five finite element models of the aortic root were reconstructed using computed tomography angiography images, including two cases of aortic root remodeling (A1 and A2), two cases of the Florida sleeve procedure (B1 and B2), and one control group without aortic root pathology (C). Numerical simulations were performed to obtain the blood flow and pressure distribution results to assess the differences in the hemodynamics of the aortic root. Results There were no significant differences in the peak systolic velocity between the two procedures and the control. However, the flow velocity after aortic root remodeling was smoother, similar to the model of the control group, with a more stable average aortic pressure and wall shear stress. In the Florida sleeve procedure, high-speed blood flow affected the vessel wall, leading to various degrees of wall shear stress and pressure concentrations along the aortic wall. Conclusions After aortic root replacement with valve preservation, blood flow patterns in the reconstructed aortic root depended on postoperative changes in sinus geometry. Both surgical procedures showed favorable blood flow patterns; however, the flow pattern after aortic root remodeling was more stable than that after the Florida sleeve procedure.