Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine if the normal semilunar valve leaflets contribute to turbulence in the region of the semilunar valves. Measurements of turbulence distal to a porcine aortic valve were made using an in vitro model of the cardiovascular system in which fluctuating velocities indicative of turbulence were measured with a hot film probe. The distribution of turbulence across the simulated aortic root was shown to relate to the location of the free margin of the aortic valve during systole. This indicates that turbulence resulted from the formation of eddies at the free margins of the semilunar cusps which acted as projections in the stream of flow. Therefore, it is insufficient to rely upon the peak Reynolds number when attempting to determine when turbulence would occur in the region of the aortic or pulmonary valves. These observations are pertinent to understanding the genesis of cardiac murmurs that originate in the region of semilunar valves.
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