Research interests

Through the years, we have been developing a broad spectrum of activities in the field of cardiovascular mechanics, which all share a strong translational interest:

Image-based Patient-specific Modeling

• Analysis of biomechanical derangements associated to pathological conditions in large vessels, heart valves and heart chambers through anatomically detailed models
• Prediction of the biomechanical effect of surgical or interventional procedures on a patient-specific basis
• Quantification of in vivo tissue strains directly from medical images
• Quantification of in vivo blood fluid dynamics based on 4Dflow images

Multi-scale Modeling of Organs

• Derivation of mechanical stimuli on valvilar interstitial cells starting from finite element simulations at the organ length-scale

Analysis of Blood-Processing devices

• Quantification of the performance of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), blood pumps and oxygenators, as well as of the associated risk of blood damage
• Assessment of the risk of shear-mediates platelet activation

Holography for Augmented Reality

• 4D visualization of volumetric datasets from medical imaging
• Developing tools to support surgical and interventional planning

Team

Faculties
	Alberto Redaelli, PhD Full Professor Computational Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3375 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Emiliano Votta, PhD Associate Professor Computational Structural Mechanics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3461 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Giuseppe Passoni, PhD Associate Professor Computational Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-6232 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Silvia Bozzi, PhD Associate Professor Computational Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-4146 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Postdocs
n.a.
Research Fellows
n.a.
PhD Students
	Maria Chiara Palumbo, MSc PhD Candidate Mixed Reality Approaches for Image Guided Surgery Tel.: +39-02-2399-3370 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Simone Saitta, MSc PhD Candidate AI-based modeling Tel.: +39-02-2399-3370 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Riccardo Munafò, MSc PhD Candidate AI-based modeling Tel.: +39-02-2399-3370 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Guido Nannini, MSc Computational Fluid Dynamics, FSI modeling Tel.: +39-02-2399-3370 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Veronica Ruozzi, MSc PhD Candidate Augmented Reality Applications, Simulators for training Tel.: +39-02-2399-3370 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Guests
n.a.
Master Students
	Camilla Dodesini, BSc Real time simulation of catheter vessel interactions in structural interventional cardiology
	Sofia Viganò, BSc Real time simulation of catheter vessel interactions in structural interventional cardiology
	Elena Paravisi, BSc Numerical analysis to relate biomechnical stimuli and intraluminal remodeling in artero-venous grafts
	Daniele Russo, BSc 4D Flow MRI analysis of blood flow helical pattern and embolic predilection in the aortic arch
	Ione Ianniruberto, BSc FEM-based analysis of the role of aortic anatomy in increasing the risk of ascending aorta dissection
	Christian Dieni, BSc CFD analysis of the role of aortic anatomy in increasing the risk of ascending aorta dissection
	Alberta Crestan, BSc Catheter Localisation Framework in Echocardiography Based on Deep Learning
	Erika Xhelo, BSc 4Dflow-based characterization of RV intracavitary dynamics in healthy and diseased conditions
	Alice Prandoni, BSc Deep learning for denoising of 4D flow MRI data
	Sara Paratico, BSc Merging data and models for hemodynamic assessment through 4DVar data assimilation
	Filippo Alongi, BSc Merging data and models for hemodynamic assessment through physics-informed neural networks (PINNs)
	Martina Imperiali, BSc Mixed-Reality and deep learning for craniotomy procedures
	Sofia Pascucci, BSc Evaluation of spin-coated materials to embed peripheral stents
	Diego Gonzalez, BSc
	Davide Tondi, BSc Computational quantification of load transfer from chorade tendineae to LV wall in mitral regurgitation
	Davide Astori, BSc Automated pipeline for the fast simulation of PPVI procedures
	Nicola Belpiede, BSc Automated pipeline for the fast simulation of TAVI procedures
	Giulia Cortinovis, BSc  AI-based quantification of mitral valve dynamic geometry from 3D ultrasound imaging
Alumni
2022 Ludovica Maga, MSc Maria Chiara Sbarra, MSc Eleonora Turconi, MSc Jacopo Rossi, MSc Alexa Bicelli, MSc Federica Berardi, MSc Marica Cappelletti, MSc Aurora Vitale, MSc Michele Ripoli, MSc Agnese Nardi, MSc Alessio Pozzoli, MSc Lorenzo Bergaglio, MSc Daniele Giachetti, MSc Paolo Vassena, MSc Veronica Ruozzi, MSc Lorenzo Civilla, MSc Federica Berardi, MSc   2021 Silvia Sechi, MSc Maria Antonia d'Attimo, MSc Alessandro Gatti, BSc Giada Suriano, MSc Lisa Parolari, MSc Ida Giulivo, MSc Giulio D'Errico, MSc Nadia Brambilla, MSc Alessandro Lanaro, MSc Federica Gambogi, MSc Chiara Gussago, MSc Marta Anghileri, MSc Michele Ausiello, MSc Riccardo Munafò, MSc Elisa Casari, MSc Valentina Scarponi, MSc Margherita Sironi, MSc Sebastiano Panfili, MSc Eleonora Sella Bart, MSc   2020 Anisia Lauditi, MSc Marco Beccarini, MSc Simone Carando, MSc Davide Piatti, MSc Riccardo Galvani, MSc Agnese Mantoan, MSc Chiara Dazzi, MSc Alessio Amicone, MSc Laura Strambi, MSc Gregory Zocchi, MSc Alberto Scolari, MSc Serena Mognoni, MSc Margherita Moroni, MSc Guido Nannini, MSc Mattia Lupacchini, MSc   2019 Lorenzo Alloni, Msc Chiara Trenti, Msc Marcello Arcangeli, Msc Greta Locatelli, Msc Chiara Manini, Msc Monica Emendi, Msc Andrea Boraschi, Msc Jacopo Monti, Msc Fabio Lucon, Msc Matteo Frigelli, Msc Matteo Pasquali, Msc Elena Corna, Msc Antonio Crescenzo, Msc Francesca Comi, Msc Alessandro Bastianoni, Msc   2018 Sabrina Ibba, Msc Irene Torrisi, Msc Giulia Girola, Msc Silvia Ciuffreda, Msc Ilaria Urciuoli, Msc Stefano Tagliabue, Msc Valentina Messina, Msc Laura Marelli, Msc Massimiliano Bugana, Msc Ilaria Pizzaballa, Msc Antony Pranzetti, Msc Simone Saitta, Msc   2017 Luca Meloni, Msc Andreea Eva, Msc Masoud Meskin, Msc Tommaso Cazzato, Msc Federica Colombo, Msc Silvia Pozzi, Msc Selene Pirola, Msc Martina Gava, Msc Angela Aversa, Msc Eleonora Careddu, Msc   2016 Elena Bonini, Msc Elisa Stoppani, Msc Marco Sabbatini, Msc Giovanni Rossini, Msc Giulia Conca, Msc Francesca Ghidelli, Msc Silvia Vago, Msc Maria Chiara Palumbo, Msc Agostino Di Bello, Msc Stefania Tirelli, Msc Giulia Signorini, Msc Rachele De Ponti, Msc Marco Vidotto, Msc Chiara Baggi, Msc   2015 Herman Fruner, Msc Michela Cagna, Msc Silvia Rossi, Msc Viviana Mancini, Msc Stefano Speranza, Msc Roberta Testa, Msc Germano Infante, Msc Elisabetta Tedaldi, Msc Chiara Montanari, Msc Martina Patelli, Msc Flavio Bellacosa Marotti, Msc Luca Scotti, Msc Pietro Galella, Msc Mattia Ronzoni, Msc Mattia Vitali, Msc Federico Canè, Msc Anna Senesi, Msc Marica Presicce, Msc Matteo Selmi, Msc Lara Soggiu, Msc   2014 Rosamaria Tricarico, Msc Filippo Piatti, PhD Omar Antonio Pappalardo, PhD Valentina Elia, Msc Giulia Campo, Msc Matteo Manessi, Msc Benedetto D'Antico, Msc Simone Mazzola, Msc Matteo Fazio, Msc Francesca Bonizzoni, Msc Giacomo Mazzoletti, Msc Daniela Piloni, Msc Laura Spreafico, Msc Stefano Derobertis, Msc Francesco Calivà, Msc

Publications

Publications

1. Pasquali M, Fusini L, Italiano G, Maltagliati A, Tamborini G, Penso M, Andreini D, Redaelli A, Pappalardo O, Pepi M. Feasibility study of a mixed reality tool for real 3D visualization and planning of left atrial appendage occlusion. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2022 Feb 26:S1934-5925(22)00037-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2022.02.010

2. Saitta S, Sturla F, Caimi A, Riva A, Palumbo MC, Nano G, Votta E, Corte AD, Glauber M, Chiappino D, Marrocco-Trischitta MM, Redaelli A. A Deep Learning-Based and Fully Automated Pipeline for Thoracic Aorta Geometric Analysis and Planning for Endovascular Repair from Computed Tomography. J Digit Imaging. 2022 Apr;35(2):226-239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-021-00535-1. Online ahead of print.

3. Riva A, Sturla F, Pica S, Camporeale A, Tondi L, Saitta S, Caimi A, Giese D, Palladini G, Milani P, Castelvecchio S, Menicanti L, Redaelli A, Lombardi M, Votta E. Comparison of Four-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Left Ventricular Fluid Dynamics and Energetics in Ischemic and Restrictive Cardiomyopathies. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Jan 24. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.28076 Online ahead of print.

4. Tasca G, Sturla F, Jaworek M, Giese D, Menicanti L, Vismara R, Lombardi M, Redaelli A. In vitro four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance analysis of the effect of pericardial valve design on aortic flow. J Med Eng Technol. 2022 Jan 21:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2022.2026505 Online ahead of print.

5. Palumbo MC, Redaelli A, Wingo M, Tak KA, Leonard JR, Kim J, Rong LQ, Park C, Mitlak HW, Devereux RB, Roman MJ, RoyChoudury A, Lau C, Gaudino MFL, Girardi LN, Weinsaft JW. Impact of ascending aortic prosthetic grafts on early postoperative descending aortic biomechanics on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2021 Nov 29:ezab501. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab501 Online ahead of print.

6. Salmasi MY, Pirola S, Sasidharan S, Fisichella SM, Redaelli A, Jarral OA, O'Regan DP, Oo AY, Moore JE Jr, Xu XY, Athanasiou T. High Wall Shear Stress can Predict Wall Degradation in Ascending Aortic Aneurysms: An Integrated Biomechanics Study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021 Oct 18;9:750656. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.750656 eCollection 2021.

7. Pluchinotta FR, Caimi A, Pilati M, Carminati M, Sturla F. Computer-based prediction of coronary artery compression in the planning of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. EuroIntervention. 2021 Sep 20;17(7):584-585. https://doi.org/10.4244/EIJ-D-20-01114

8. Chidambaram S, Stifano V, Demetres M, Teyssandier M, Palumbo MC, Redaelli A, Olivi A, Apuzzo MLJ, Pannullo SC. Applications of augmented reality in the neurosurgical operating room: A systematic review of the literature. J Clin Neurosci. 2021 Sep;91:43-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2021.06.032. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

9. Stifano V, Palumbo MC, Chidambaram S, Sturiale CL, Albanese A, Marchese E, Redaelli A, Pannullo SC, Olivi A. The use of Mixed Reality for the treatment planning of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. J Neurosurg Sci. 2021 Aug 3. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0390-5616.21.05356-X. Online ahead of print.

10. Nannini G, Caimi A, Palumbo MC, Saitta S, Girardi LN, Gaudino M, Roman MJ, Weinsaft JW, Redaelli A. Aortic hemodynamics assessment prior and after valve sparing reconstruction: A patient-specific 4D flow-based FSI model. Comput. Biol. Med. 2021 Aug 135:104581.

11. Pozzi S, Redaelli A, Vergara C, Votta E, Zunino P. Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of atherosclerotic plaque progression based on fluid-structure interaction. J. Math. Fluid Mech. 2021 23:74.

12. Castelvecchio S, Frigelli M, Sturla F, Milani V, Pappalardo OA, Citarella M, Toso A, Menicanti L, Votta E. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying left ventricular function recovery in ischemic heart failure patients undergoing surgical remodelling: a 3D ultrasound analysis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2021 Feb 26:S0022-5223(21)00381-0. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.02.067

13. Riva A, Sturla F, Caimi A, Pica S, Giese D, Milani P, Palladini G, Lombardi M, Redaelli A, Votta E. 4D Flow evaluation of blood non-Newtonian behavior in left ventricle flow analysis. J Biomech. 2021 Feb 8;119:110308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110308. Online ahead of print.

14. Rossini G, Caimi A, Redaelli A, Votta E. Subject-specific multiscale modeling of aortic valve biomechanics. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2021 Jun;20(3):1031-1046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-021-01429-5. 

15. Pozzi S, Domanin M, Forzenigo L, Votta E, Zunino P, Redaelli A, Vergara C. A surrogate model for plaque modeling in carotids based on Robin conditions calibrated by cine MRI data. Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng. 2021 Feb 14:e12631. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.3447. Online ahead of print.

16. Triberti S, Petrella F, Gorini A, Pappalardo O, Sebri V, Savioni L, Redaelli A, Pravettoni G. Augmenting Surgery: Medical Students’ Assessment and Ergonomics of 3D Holograms vs. CT Scans for Pre-Operative Planning. EAI endorsed trans. pervasive health technol. 2021; 7(25):e5. http://dx.doi.org/10.4108/eai.8-1-2021.167844

17. Rong LQ, Palumbo MC, Rahouma M, Devereux RB, Kim J, Pryor KO, Redaelli A, Weinsaft JW, Girardi LN, Gaudino M. Differential Effects of Aortic Valve Replacement on Aortic Circumferential Strain in Aortic Stenosis and Aortic Insufficiency. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Oct 27:S1053-0770(20)31158-7. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2020.10.044. Online ahead of print.

18. Pluchinotta FR, Caimi A, Pilati M, Carminati M, Sturla F. Computer-based prediction of coronary artery compression in the planning of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. EuroIntervention. 2021 Jan 12:EIJ-D-20-01114. https://doi.org/10.4244/EIJ-D-20-01114. Online ahead of print.

19. Redaelli A, Votta E. Cardiovascular patient-specific modeling: Where are we now and what does the future look like? APL Bioeng. 2020, 4, 040401. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0031452.

20. Palumbo MC, Rong LQ, Kim J, Navid P, Sultana R, Butcher J, Redaelli A, Roman MJ, Devereux RB, Girardi LN, Gaudino MFL, Weinsaft JW. Prosthetic aortic graft replacement of the ascending thoracic aorta alters biomechanics of the native descending aorta as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. PLoS One. 2020 Mar 12;15(3):e0230208. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230208. eCollection 2020.

21. Emendi M, Sturla F, Ghosh RP, Bianchi M, Piatti F, Pluchinotta FR, Giese D, Lombardi M, Redaelli A, Bluestein D. Patient-Specific Bicuspid Aortic Valve Biomechanics: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Integrated Fluid-Structure Interaction Approach. Ann Biomed Eng. 2020 Aug 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-020-02571-4. Online ahead of print.

22. Caimi A, Pasquali M, Sturla F, Pluchinotta FR, Giugno L, Carminati M, Redaelli A, Votta E. Prediction of post-stenting biomechanics in coarcted aortas: A pilot finite element study. J Biomech. 2020 May 22;105:109796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109796. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

23. Pappalardo OA, Votta E, Selmi M, Luciani GB, Redaelli A, Delgado V, Bax JJ, Ajmone Marsan N. 4D MDCT in the assessment of the tricuspid valve and its spatial relationship with the right coronary artery: A customized tool based on computed tomography for the planning of percutaneous procedures. J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2020 Apr 11:S1934-5925(20)30133-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2020.04.003. Online ahead of print.

24. Pappone C, Mecarocci V, Manguso F, Ciconte G, Vicedomini G, Sturla F, Votta E, Mazza B, Pozzi P, Borrelli V, Anastasia L, Micaglio E, Locati E, Monasky M, Lombardi M, Calovic Z, Santinelli V. New Electro-Mechanical Substrate Abnormalities in High-Risk Patients with Brugada Syndrome. Heart Rhythm. 2020 Apr;17(4):637-645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.11.019. Epub 2019 Nov 19.

25. Pluchinotta FR, Sturla F, Caimi A, Giugno L, Chessa M, Giamberti A, Votta E, Redaelli A, Carminati M. 3-Dimensional personalized planning for transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract. Int J Cardiol. 2020 Jun 15;309:33-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.12.006. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

26. Pluchinotta FR, Sturla F, Caimi A, Giugno L, Chessa M, Giamberti A, Votta E, Redaelli A, Carminati M. 3-Dimensional personalized planning for transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract. Int J Cardiol. 2019 Dec 6. pii: S0167-5273(19)34925-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.12.006.

27.  Butera G, Sturla F, Pluchinotta FR, Caimi A, Carminati M. Holographic Augmented Reality and 3D Printing for Advanced Planning of Sinus Venosus ASD/Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Percutaneous Management. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2019 May 11. pii: S1936-8798(19)30751-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2019.03.020. [Epub ahead of print]

28. Dimasi A, Piloni D, Spreafico L, Votta E, Vismara R, Fiore G, Meskin M, Fusini L, Muratori M, Montorsi P, Pepi M, Redaelli A. Fluid-structure interaction and in vitro analysis of a real bileaflet mitral prosthetic valve to gain insight into Doppler-silent thrombosis. J Biomech Eng. 2019 May 4. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4043664. [Epub ahead of print]

29. Meskin M, Dimasi A, Votta E, Jaworek M, Fusini L, Muratori M, Montorsi P, Zappa E, Epifani I, Pepi M, Redaelli A. A Novel Multiparametric Score for the Detection and Grading of Prosthetic Mitral Valve Obstruction in Cases With Different Disc Motion Abnormalities. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2019 May 4. pii: S0301-5629(19)30126-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.03.011. [Epub ahead of print]

30. Saitta S, Pirola S, Piatti F, Votta E, Lucherini F, Pluchinotta F, Carminati M, Lombardi M, Geppert C, Cuomo F, Figueroa CA, Xu XY, Redaelli A. Evaluation of 4D flow MRI-based non-invasive pressure assessment in aortic coarctations. J Biomech. 2019 Sep 20;94:13-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.07.004.

31. Della Corte A, Michelena HI, Citarella A, Votta E, Piatti F, Lo Presti F, Ashurov R, Cipollaro M, Forte A. Risk Stratification in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Aortopathy: Emerging Evidence and Future Perspectives. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2019 Jun 21. pii: S0146-2806(19)30101-X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2019.06.002.

32. Canè F, Selmi M, De Santis G, Redaelli A, Segers P, Degroote J. Mixed impact of torsion on LV hemodynamics: A CFD study based on the Chimera technique. Comput Biol Med. 2019 Sep;112:103363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103363.

33. Rong LQ, Palumbo MC, Rahouma M, Meineri M, Arguelles GR, Kim J, Lau C, Devereux RB, Pryor KO, Girardi LN, Redaelli A, Gaudino MFL, Weinsaft JW. Immediate Impact of Prosthetic Graft Replacement of the Ascending Aorta on Circumferential Strain in the Descending Aorta. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2019 Oct;58(4):521-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2019.05.003.

34. Tasca G, Selmi M, Riva B, Lobiati E, Gamba A, Redaelli A, Votta E. Aortic Root Dynamics in Sleeve Aortic Sparing Procedure: Echocardiographic and Computational Studies. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019 Jul 26. pii: S1043-0679(19)30204-7. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semtcvs.2019.07.010. 

35. Selmi M, Chiu WC, Chivukula VK, Melisurgo G, Beckman JA, Mahr C, Aliseda A, Votta E, Redaelli A, Slepian MJ, Bluestein D, Pappalardo F, Consolo F. Blood damage in Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Pump thrombosis or system thrombosis? Int J Artif Organs. 2018 Oct 24:391398818806162. https://doi.org/10.1177/0391398818806162.

36. Gaudino M, Piatti F, Lau C, Sturla F, Weinsaft JW, Weltert L, Votta E, Galea N, Chirichilli I, Di Franco A, Francone M, Catalano C, Redaelli A, Girardi LN, De Paulis R. Aortic flow after valve sparing root replacement with or without neosinuses reconstruction. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 Jul 27. pii: S0022-5223(18)32026-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.06.094.

37. Caimi A, Sturla F, Pluchinotta FR, Giugno L, Secchi F, Votta E, Carminati M, Redaelli A. Prediction of stenting related adverse events through patient-specific finite element modelling. J Biomech. 2018 Oct 5;79:135-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.08.006.

38. Gaidulis G, Votta E, Selmi M, Aidietienė S, Aidietis A, Kačianauskas R. Numerical simulation of transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with neochordae implantation. Technol Health Care. 2018;26(S2):635-645. https://doi.org/10.3233/THC-182510.

39. Galea N, Piatti F, Sturla F, Weinsaft JW, Lau C, Chirichilli I, Carbone I, Votta E, Catalano C, De Paulis R, Girardi LN, Redaelli A, Gaudino M; Cornell International Consortium for Aortic Surgery (CICAS). Novel insights by 4D Flow imaging on aortic flow physiology after valve-sparing root replacement with or without neosinuses. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2018 Jun 1;26(6):957-964. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivx431.

40. Piatti F, Palumbo MC, Consolo F, Pluchinotta F, Greiser A, Sturla F, Votta E, Siryk SV, Vismara R, Fiore GB, Lombardi M, Redaelli A. Experimental quantification of the fluid dynamics in blood-processing devices through 4D-flow imaging: A pilot study on a real oxygenator/heat-exchanger module. J Biomech. 2018 Feb 8;68:14-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.12.014.

41. Tedaldi E, Montanari C, Aycock KI, Sturla F, Redaelli A, Manning KB. An experimental and computational study of the inferior vena cava hemodynamics under respiratory-induced collapse of the infrarenal IVC. Med Eng Phys. 2018 Apr;54:44-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2018.02.003.

42. Caimi A, Sturla F, Good B, Vidotto M, De Ponti R, Piatti F, Manning KB, Redaelli A. Toward the Virtual Benchmarking of Pneumatic Ventricular Assist Devices: Application of a Novel Fluid-Structure Interaction-Based Strategy to the Penn State 12 cc Device. J Biomech Eng. 2017 Aug 1;139(8). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4036936.

43. Pappalardo OA, Sturla F, Onorati F, Puppini G, Selmi M, Luciani GB, Faggian G, Redaelli A, Votta E. Mass-spring models for the simulation of mitral valve function: Looking for a trade-off between reliability and time-efficiency. Med Eng Phys. 2017 Sep;47:93-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2017.07.001.

44. Piatti F, Sturla F, Bissell MM, Pirola S, Lombardi M, Nesteruk I, Della Corte A, Redaelli ACL, Votta E. 4D Flow Analysis of BAV-Related Fluid-Dynamic Alterations: Evidences of Wall Shear Stress Alterations in Absence of Clinically-Relevant Aortic Anatomical Remodeling. Front Physiol. 2017 Jun 26;8:441. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00441. eCollection 2017.

45. Piatti F, Pirola S, Bissell M, Nesteruk I, Sturla F, Della Corte A, Redaelli A, Votta E. Towards the improved quantification of in vivo abnormal wall shear stresses in BAV-affected patients from 4D-flow imaging: Benchmarking and application to real data. J Biomech. 2017 Jan 4;50:93-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.11.044. Epub 2016 Nov 11.

46. Sturla F, Onorati F, Puppini G, Pappalardo OA, Selmi M, Votta E, Faggian G, Redaelli A. Dynamic and quantitative evaluation of degenerative mitral valve disease: a dedicated framework based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. J Thorac Dis. 2017 Apr;9(Suppl 4):S225-S238. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2017.03.84.

47. Sturla F, Vismara R, Jaworek M, Votta E, Romitelli P, Pappalardo OA, Lucherini F, Antona C, Fiore GB, Redaelli A. In vitro and in silico approaches to quantify the effects of the Mitraclip® system on mitral valve function. J Biomech. 2017 Jan 4;50:83-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.11.013.

48. Tasca G, Selmi M, Votta E, Redaelli P, Sturla F, Redaelli A, Gamba A. Aortic Root Biomechanics After Sleeve and David Sparing Techniques: A Finite Element Analysis. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 May;103(5):1451-1459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.08.003.

49. Votta E, Presicce M, Della Corte A, Dellegrottaglie S, Bancone C, Sturla F, Redaelli A. A novel approach to the quantification of aortic root in vivo structural mechanics. Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng. 2017 Sep;33(9). https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.2849.

50. Sturla F, Ronzoni M, Vitali M, Dimasi A, Vismara R, Preston-Maher G, Burriesci G, Votta E, Redaelli A. Impact of different aortic valve calcification patterns on the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A finite element study. J Biomech. 2016 Aug 16;49(12):2520-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.036.

51. Sturla F, Votta E, Onorati F, Pechlivanidis K, Pappalardo OA, Gottin L, Milano AD, Puppini G, Redaelli A, Faggian G. Biomechanical drawbacks of different techniques of mitral neochordal implantation: When an apparently optimal repair can fail. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015 Nov;150(5):1303-1312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2015.07.014.

52. Piatti F, Sturla F, Marom G, Sheriff J, Claiborne TE, Slepian MJ, Redaelli A, Bluestein D. Hemodynamic and thrombogenic analysis of a trileaflet polymeric valve using a fluid-structure interaction approach. J Biomech. 2015 Oct;48(13):3650-8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.08.009.

53. Sturla F, Redaelli A, Puppini G, Onorati F, Faggian G, Votta E. Functional and Biomechanical Effects of the Edge-to-Edge Repair in the Setting of Mitral Regurgitation: Consolidated Knowledge and Novel Tools to Gain Insight into Its Percutaneous Implementation. Cardiovasc Eng Technol. 2015 Jun;6(2):117-40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13239-014-0208-4.

54.  Pelosi A, Sheriff J, Stevanella M, Fiore GB, Bluestein D, Redaelli A. Computational evaluation of the thrombogenic potential of a hollow-fiber oxygenator with integrated heat exchanger during extracorporeal circulation. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2014 Apr;13(2):349-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-012-0445-0

55. Sturla F, Onorati F, Votta E, Pechlivanidis K, Stevanella M, Milano AD, Puppini G, Mazzucco A, Redaelli A, Faggian G. Is it possible to assess the best mitral valve repair in the individual patient? Preliminary results of a finite element study from magnetic resonance imaging data. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Sep;148(3):1025-34; discussion 1034. https://10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.05.071

56. Protti A, Votta E, Gattinoni L. Which is the most important strain in the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung injury: dynamic or static? Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Feb;20(1):33-8.

57. Pelosi A, Sheriff J, Stevanella M, Fiore GB, Bluestein D, Redaelli A. Computational evaluation of the thrombogenic potential of a hollow-fiber oxygenator with integrated heat exchanger during extracorporeal circulation. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2014 Apr;13(2):349-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-012-0445-0.

58. Votta E, Le TB, Stevanella M, Fusini L, Caiani EG, Redaelli A, Sotiropoulos F. Toward patient-specific simulations of cardiac valves: state-of-the-art and future directions. J Biomech. 2013 Jan 18;46(2):217-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.10.026

59. Sturla F, Votta E, Stevanella M, Conti CA, Redaelli A. Impact of modeling fluid-structure interaction in the computational analysis of aortic root biomechanics. Med Eng Phys. 2013 Dec;35(12):1721-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2013.07.015

60. De Lorenzo D, De Momi E, Conti L, Votta E, Riva M, Fava E, Bello L, Ferrigno G. Intraoperative forces and moments analysis on patient head clamp during awake brain surgery. Med Biol Eng Comput. 2013 Mar;51(3):331-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-012-1002-9

61. Protti A, Andreis DT, Monti M, Santini A, Sparacino CC, Langer T, Votta E, Gatti S, Lombardi L, Leopardi O, Masson S, Cressoni M, Gattinoni L. Lung stress and strain during mechanical ventilation: any difference between statics and dynamics? Crit Care Med. 2013 Apr;41(4):1046-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e31827417a6

62. Della Corte A, Bancone C, Del Viscovo L, Conti CA, Votta E, Scognamiglio G, Covino FE, Redaelli A, Cotrufo M. Restricted cusp motion in right-left type of bicuspid aortic valves: A new risk marker for aortopathy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012; 144(2):360-369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2011.10.014

63. Dimasi A, Cattarinuzzi E, Stevanella M, Conti CA, Votta E, Maffessanti F, Ingels NB Jr., Redaelli A. Influence of Mitral Valve Anterior Leaflet in vivo Shape on Left Ventricular Ejection. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2012; 3(4):388-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13239-012-0105-7

64. Consolo F, Bariani C, Mantalaris A, Montevecchi F, Redaelli A, Morbiducci U. Computational modeling for the optimization of a cardiogenic 3D bioprocess of encapsulated embryonic stem cells. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2012; 11(1-2):261-77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-011-0308-0

65. Morbiducci U, Ponzini R, Rizzo G, Biancolini ME, Iannaccone F, Gallo D, Redaelli A. Synthetic dataset generation for the analysis and the evaluation of image-based hemodynamics of the human aorta. Med Biol Eng Comput 2012; 50:145-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-011-0854-8

66. Votta E, Paroni L, Conti CA, Pelosi A, Mangini A, D'Alesio P, Vismara R, Antona C, Redaelli A. Aortic valve repair via neo-chordae technique: mechanistic insight through numerical modelling. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012; 40(5):1039-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-011-0497-9

Prizes and Honors

Journal Awards

M. Stevanella, F. Maffessanti, C.A. Conti, E. Votta, A. Arnoldi, M. Lombardi, O. Parodi, E.G. Caiani, A. Redaelli
“Mitral Valve Patient-Specific Finite Element Modeling from Cardiac MRI: Application to an Annuloplasty Procedure” 
2017 CVET Most Cited Article Award, jointly awarded by the Biomedical Engineering Society and Springer Nature, for being the most cited article from papers published in Cardiovascular Engineering Technologies (CVET) since its inception in March 2010. 

E. Votta, T.B. Le, M. Stevanella, L. Fusini, E.G. Caiani, A. Redaelli, F. Sotiropoulos
"Toward patient-specific simulations of cardiac valves: state-of-the-art and future directions"  
Elsevier Highly Cited Research Certificate for being among the top five most cited manuscripts in years 2014/2015 up to June, 2016.

Conference Awards

S. Pirola, F. Piatti, F. Sturla, E. Votta, I. Nesteruk, M. Lombardi, A. Della Corte, M. Bissell, A. Redaelli, E. G. Caiani
"Phase Contrast MRI: Development of a User-Friendly Platform for Fast Automated Segmentation and Fluid-Dynamic Post-Processing". 
Rosanna Degani Young Investigators' Award (Semi-finalist), 42nd Annual Conference, Computing in Cardiology (CINC), September 6-9, 2015, Nice, France

A. Caimi, F. Cané, A. Senesi, A. Dimasi, F. Sturla, K.B. Manning, A. Redaelli
"CFD Characterization of a Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device through a Moving Boundary Approach" 
Award in the 2014 International CAE conference - Poster Presentation - Pacengo del Garda (Verona), Italy

F. Piatti, F. Sturla, T.E. Claiborne, D. Bluestein, A. Redaelli
"A fluid-structure approach to optimize the thrombogenic potential of artificial heart valves"
Award in the 2014 International CAE conference - Poster Presentation - Pacengo del Garda (Verona), Italy

F. Piatti, M. Selmi, A. Pelosi, T.E. Claiborne, D. Bluestein, A. Redaelli
"CFD characterization and thrombogenicity analysis of a prototypal polymeric aortic valve"
Award in the 2013 International CAE conference - Poster Presentation - Pacengo del Garda (Verona), Italy

M. Stevanella, F. Sturla, C.A. Conti, E. Votta, A. Della Corte, A. Redaelli
"Healty and BAV-affected aortic root dynamics: Fluid Structure Interaction simulations from MRI-based 3D models"
Award in the 2012 International CAE conference - Poster Presentation - Pacengo del Garda (Verona), Italy 

F. Consolo, M. Caronna, F.M. Montevecchi, G.B. Fiore, A. Redaelli
"A CFD computational model for the optimization of transport phenomena in a rotating hollow fiber bioreactor for artificial liver"
2nd place award in the PhD Student Competition - Poster Presentation in the Biofluids and Imaging Category of the “2008 Summer Bioengineering Conference of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering“, Marco Island, Florida

E. Votta, A. Arnoldi, M. Stevanella, F. Veronesi, G. Tamborini, F. Alamanni, E.G. Caiani, A. Redaelli
"From real-time 3D echocardiography to mitral valve finite element analysis: a novel modeling approach"
Rosanna Degani Young Investigator Award at the 2008 Computers in Cardiology Conference, Bologna, Italy

M. Soncini, A. Redaelli, E. Votta, A. Sormani
"3-D computational models for the simulation of the suture stress after mitral valve edge-to-edge repair"
Best poster award in the session of Cardiovascular Mechanics of the 2001 Bioengineering Conference of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, Snowbird, Utah

MSc and PhD Thesis Awards

Mattia Lupacchini
"Fluid-structure interaction modelling of compliant arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts in rat femoral vessels : a support to graft design optimization"
2020 "Franco Maria Montevecchi" award for original and innovative M.S. Thesis in Biomedical Engineering

Monica Emendi
"Patient-specific FSI analysis of a bicuspid aortic valve case"
2020 "Bioingegneria - Università di Padova" award for original and innovative M.S. Thesis in Biomedical Engineering

Selene Pirola
"Valutazione clinica mediante 4D-flow MRI delle alterazioni fluidodinamiche indotte da bicuspidia valvolare aortica nell'aorta ascendente"
2015 "Gruppo Nazionale di Bioingegneria" award for original and innovative M.S. Thesis in Biomedical Engineering

Filippo Piatti
"Characterization of the thrombogenic potential of a prototypal polymeric aortic valve: a fluid-structure interaction analysis"
2014 "Gruppo Nazionale di Bioingegneria" award for original and innovative M.S. Thesis in Biomedical Engineering 

Raffaele Ponzini 
“Analisi dei profili dei velocità in un bypass coronarico ad Y tramite un modello multifase"
2002 Fluent User Group Meeting award for the best M.S. Thesis

Emiliano Votta
"Plastica della valvola mitrale mediante tecnica edge-to-edge: analisi biomeccanica degli sforzi sui lembi valvolari"
2001 "Rosanna Degani " award for the best M.S. Thesis in Biomedical Engineering in the cardiovascular field 

Collaborations

Collaborations

	Stony Brook University Biofluids Research Group Collaborations on: Cardiac device thrombogenicity Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Harvard Medical School Boston Children's Hospital - Cardiac Surgery Collaborations on: Simulation of paediatric cardiac surgery Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Medicine Collaborations on: Simulation of paediatric cardiac surgery Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Weill Cornell University Cardiology Department Collaborations on: Intra-cardiac and aortic flow quantification through 4Dflow analysis Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	University of Texas at Austin Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling & Simulation Collaborations on: Heart valve computational modeling Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Penn State University Artificial Heart Lab and Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics Lab Collaborations on: Fluid dynamics in left ventricular assist devices Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Leiden University Medical Center Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery Department Collaborations on: Image processing, heart valve biomechanics, augmented reality Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Equipment and available technologies

Equipment

The Computational Biomechanics Laboratory is part of the CFDHub@POLIMI lab cluster of Politecnico di Milano and is equipped with state-of-the-heart linux nodes for supercomputing activities.

Hardware:

• 1 cluster of 2 Server SUN Fire X4450 (4 Intel Xeon X7350 @2.93 GHz each) and 2 Server Intel PowerEdge R410 (2 Intel Xeon X5670 @2.93Ghz each)
• 7 duo-quad workstations (i7 CPUs, 8 GB ram) equipped with general-purpose “Kepler” GPU
• 3 duo-quad workstations (Xeon5150 CPUs, 4 GB RAM)
• 1 duo-quad workstation (i7 CPUs, 8 GB RAM) equipped with Nvidia Quadro 2000 GPU for visualization and 3D modeling

Software:

• Fluid dynamics: ANSYS Fluent
• Structural mechanics software: ABAQU
• Fluid Structure Interaction: LS-Dyna
• Multiphysics: COMSOL

Funding

CB Lab is grateful to the following funders and partners that have supported our research:

EU-H2020-ICT-2018-20

“ARTERY- Autonomous Robotics for Transcatheter dEliveRy sYstems" - (2021-2023)

Cariplo Foundation and Regione Lombardia

“SILKELASTOGRAFT - A novel compliance-matching silk fibroin/polyurethane graft for in situ vascular tissue engineering  - (2019-2022)

EU-H2020

“MUSICARE - MUltiSectoral Integrative approaches to CArdiac care (MSCA-ITN-2014-642458)” - (2015-2019)

Open positions

........ coming soon!