Digital kymography for the analysis of the opening and closure intervals of heart valves

The opening and closure intervals of heart valves are important factors regarding an optimal blood flow. Using endoscopic video recordings of heart valves, digital kymography can be a method to visualize and to describe the opening and closure intervals. Based on an adequate segmentation of the kymograms, a quantitative description becomes available for the opening and closure characteristics. Furthermore, by normalizing the measured results, comparisons of mean heart valve oscillations can be achieved. Here, a comparison of artificial with native heart valves obtained under physiological conditions, indicates clear differences in the opening and closure intervals.