Research interests

• Experimental study of the biomechanics of heart valves in ex-vivo models simulating physiological and pathological conditions

• Study of transcatheter approaches for the treatment of heart disease from the study of the biomechanical interaction of the device with heart structure, to the development of novel approaches

• Experimental study of surgical approaches to heart valves repair focused on aortic and mitral valve repair techniques and surgical replacement of the valve

• Development of mock loop for the simulation of the cardiovascular system for research and for physician’s training

Team

Faculties
	Riccardo Vismara, PhD Associate Professor Experimental Bio-Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-4142 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Gianfranco Beniamino Fiore, PhD Associate Professor Experimental Micro- and Bio- Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3337 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Alberto Redaelli, PhD Full Professor Computational Biomechanics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3375 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Physicians
	Riccardo Antona, MD Cardiac Surgeon Tel.: +39-02-3904-2334 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Andrea Mangini, MD, PhD Cardiac Surgeon Tel.: +39-02-3904-2334 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Guido Gelpi, MD Cardiac and Vascular Surgeon Tel.: +39-02-3904-2334 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Monica Contino, MD Cardiac Surgeon Tel.: +39-02-3904-2334 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Claudia Romagnoni, MD Cardiac Surgeon Tel.: +39-02-3904-2334 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Research Fellows
	Michal Jaworek, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Experimental Bio-Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3327 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Francesca Perico, MSc Research Fellow 3D printing, Experimental Bio-Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3327 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PhD Students
	Eleonora Salurso, MSc PhD Student Experimental Bio-Fluid Dynamics Tel.: +39-02-2399-3327 email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Master Students
	Ilaria Nicoli
	Angelica-Gabriella Vezzoli
	Chiara Ceriani
	Rosetta Concoreggi
	Chiara Limonta
Alumni
2020   2019 Eleonora Salurso, MSc Gianmarco Provaroni, MSc Cristina Manenti, MSc Giulia Rottoli, MSc Francesca Perico, MSc Claudia Vecchiato, MSc  Federico Volpari, MSc  2018 Davide Schiena, MSc Edoardo Maroncelli, MSc 2017 Ilaria Olivieri, Msc Yi Peng Bai, Msc Giulia Parigi, Msc Giorgia Milotta, MSc Angela Aversa, MSc Eleonora Careddu, Msc 2016 Marco Castagna, Msc Giuliana Lentini, Msc 2015 Federica Sacco, Msc Luca Vicentini, MSc 2014 Federico Lucherini, Msc Chiara Asselta, Msc 2012 Moira Pilloni, Msc Paolo D'Alesio, MSc

Selected Publications

Selected Publications

1. Jaworek M, Mangini A, Maroncelli E, Rosa R, Salurso E, Votta E, Antona C, Fiore GB, Vismara R Ex Vivo Model of Functional Mitral Regurgitation Using Deer Hearts. J. of Cardiovasc. Trans. Res. 2020, doi: 10.1007/s12265-020-10071-y 

2. Jaworek M, Pappalardo AO, Selmi M, Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Lucherini F, Ajmone-Marsan N, Redaelli A, Fiore GB, Votta E, Antona C, Vismara R. Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation at Subvalvular Level: Hemodynamic and Morphological Assessment in Ex-Vivo Beating Heart Model. Structural Heart, 2020, 4(1), 36-45, doi: 10.1080/24748706.2019.1686555

3. Tasca G, Lucherini F, Romagnoni C, Jaworek M, Redaelli A, Antona C, Vismara R. Effect of the valve design on pressure drop, pressure recovery, and spatial positioning of vena contracta. IJAO, 2020, Jul;43(7):468-475. doi: 10.1177/0391398819896582

4. Jaworek M, Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Lucherini F, Contino M, Fiore GB, Vismara R, Antona C. Long-arm clip for Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Treatment of Mitral and Tricuspid Regurgitation – Ex-Vivo Beating Heart Study. Structural Heart, 2019, 3(3), 211-9, doi: 10.1080/24748706.2019.1590666

5. Tasca G, Beniamino Fiore G, Redaelli P, Romagnoni C, Redaelli A, Gamba A, Antona C, Vismara R. Hydrodynamic and Geometric Behavior of Two Pericardial Prostheses Implanted in Small Aortic Roots. ASAIO J. 2018 Jan/Feb;64(1):86-90. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000587.

6. Shah P, Romagnoni C, Jaworek M, Lucherini F, Contino M, Menkis A, Gelpi G, Fiore GB, Antona C, Vismara R. A novel system for the treatment of aortic annular dilation: an ex vivo investigation. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 Dec 1;52(6):1090-1097. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezx203.

7. Tasca G, Vismara R, Trinca F, Riva B, Gamba A, Lobiati E. Opening/closing pattern of Trifecta and Freestyle valves versus native aortic valve: Are stentless valves more physiologic than a stented valve? J Card Surg. 2017 Nov;32(11):680-685. doi: 10.1111/jocs.13231. 

8. Jaworek M, Lucherini F, Romagnoni C, Gelpi G, Contino M, Romitelli P, Antona C, Fiore GB, Vismara R. Modelling of Lesions Associated with Functional Mitral Regurgitation in an Ex Vivo Platform. Ann Biomed Eng. 2017 Oct;45(10):2324-2334. doi: 10.1007/s10439-017-1885-6.

9. Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Romitelli P, Vismara R. MitraClip removal: surgical techniques to preserve native mitral valve leaflets. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2017 Oct 1;52(4):818-819. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezx205.

10. Jaworek M, Piola M, Lucherini F, Gelpi G, Castagna M, Lentini G, Antona C, Fiore GB, Vismara R. Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation Model in a Beating Heart Platform. ASAIO J. 2017 Jul/Aug;63(4):438-444. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000510.

11. Tozzi P, Hayoz D, Antona C, Fiore GB, Siniscalchi G, Ferrari E, Baeriswyl G, Vismara R. Mastering Mitral Leaflets Coaptation After Valve Repair with Adjustable Mitral Annuloplasty Ring: Proof of Concept in Mock Loop Study. ASAIO J. 2017 Mar/Apr;63(2):168-173. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000480.

12. 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. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.11.013. 

13. Tasca G, Vismara R, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Contino M, Redaelli A, Fiore GB, Antona C. Comparison of the Performance of a Sutureless Bioprosthesis With Two Pericardial Stented Valves on Small Annuli: An In Vitro Study. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Jan;103(1):139-144. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.05.089. 

14. Tasca G, Fiore GB, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Gamba A, Redaelli A, Antona C, Vismara R. Opening-closing pattern of four pericardial prostheses: results from an in vitro study of leaflet kinematics. J Artif Organs. 2016 Dec;19(4):350-356.

15. Piola M, Vismara R, Tasca G, Lucherini F, Redaelli P, Soncini M, Romagnoni C, Mangini A, Antona C, Fiore GB. Design of a simple coronary impedance simulator for the in vitro study of the complex coronary hemodynamics. Physiol Meas. 2016 Dec;37(12):2274-2285.

16. Vismara R, Gelpi G, Prabhu S, Romitelli P, Troxler LG, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Contino M, Van Hoven DT, Lucherini F, Jaworek M, Redaelli A, Fiore GB, Antona C. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Treatment of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in an Ex Vivo Pulsatile Heart Model. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016 Sep 6;68(10):1024-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.06.022.

17. Vismara R, Leopaldi AM, Piola M, Asselta C, Lemma M, Antona C, Redaelli A, van de Vosse F, Rutten M, Fiore GB. In vitro assessment of mitral valve function in cyclically pressurized porcine hearts. Med Eng Phys. 2016 Apr;38(4):346-53. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.01.007. 

18. Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Vismara R, Mangini A, Contino M, Fiore GB, Antona C. Intracardiac Visualization of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair in an In Vitro Passive Beating Heart. Circulation. 2015 Sep 1;132(9):e131-2. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.017519.

19. Tasca G, Vismara R, Fiore GB, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Redaelli A, Antona C. A Comprehensive Fluid Dynamic and Geometric Study for an "In-Vitro" Comparison of Four Surgically Implanted Pericardial Stented Valves. J Heart Valve Dis. 2015 Sep;24(5):596-603.

20. Leopaldi AM, Vismara R, van Tuijl S, Redaelli A, van de Vosse FN, Fiore GB, Rutten MC. A novel passive left heart platform for device testing and research. Med Eng Phys. 2015 Apr;37(4):361-6. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2015.01.013.

21. Tasca G, Vismara R, Fiore GB, Romagnoni C, Redaelli A, Antona C, Gamba A. Does the type of suture technique affect the fluid-dynamic performance of bioprostheses implanted in small aortic roots? Results from an in vitro study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015 Mar;149(3):912-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.10.096.

22. Tasca G, Vismara R, Fiore GB, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Pelenghi S, Antona C, Redaelli A, Gamba A. Fluid-dynamic results of in vitro comparison of four pericardial bioprostheses implanted in small porcine aortic roots. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2015 Feb;47(2):e62-7. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezu446.

23. Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Vismara R, Antona C. Transcatheter aortic valve and valve-in-valve implantation in a beating stenotic porcine aortic valve: intracardiac endoscopic view. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2014 Dec;46(6):1037-8. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezu137.

24. Romagnoni C, Mangini A, Vismara R, Leopaldi AM, Contino M, Lemma MG, Fiore GB, Antona C. Aortic interleaflet triangles reshaping: hydrodynamic, kinematic and morphological effects in in-vitro analysis. J Heart Valve Dis. 2014 Jul;23(4):424-31.

25. Vismara R, Leopaldi AM, Romagnoni C, Contino M, Mangini A, Stevanella M, Fiore GB, Antona C. In vitro study of a standardized approach to aortic cusp extension. Int J Artif Organs. 2014 Apr;37(4):315-24. doi: 10.5301/ijao.5000316.

26. Vismara R, Leopaldi AM, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Contino M, Antona C, Fiore GB. In vitro study of the aortic interleaflet triangle reshaping. J Biomech. 2014 Jan 22;47(2):329-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.11.036.

27. Vismara R, Mangini A, Romagnoni C, Contino M, Redaelli A, Fiore GB, Antona C. In-vitro study of a porcine quadricuspid aortic valve. J Heart Valve Dis. 2014 Jan;23(1):122-6.

28. Leopaldi AM, Vismara R, Gelpi G, Romagnoni C, Fiore GB, Redaelli A, Lemma M, Antona C. Intracardiac visualization of transcatheter aortic valve and valve-in-valve implantation in an in vitro passive beating heart. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2013 Jan;6(1):92-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2012.07.019

29. 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 May;40(5):1039-51. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0497-9.

30. de Kerchove L, Vismara R, Mangini A, Fiore GB, Price J, Noirhomme P, Antona C, El Khoury G. In vitro comparison of three techniques for ventriculo-aortic junction annuloplasty. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012 May;41(5):1117-23; discussion 1123-4. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezr237

31. Leopaldi AM, Vismara R, Lemma M, Valerio L, Cervo M, Mangini A, Contino M, Redaelli A, Antona C, Fiore GB. In vitro hemodynamics and valve imaging in passive beating hearts. J Biomech. 2012 Apr 30;45(7):1133-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.02.007.

Prizes and Honors

Journal Awards

Paper of the Month: “Transcatheter Edge-to Edge treatment of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in an Ex-Vivo Pulsatile Heart Model”. J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;68:1024-33.
Awarded by Società Italiana di Chirurgia Cardiaca, October, 2016.

Walton Lillehei Young Investigator’s Award: “In vitro comparison of three techniques for ventriculo-aortic junction annuloplasty”, Eur J Cardio-Thor Surg 2011;41(5):1117-24.
Awarded by the European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2011.

Conference Awards

Best moderated poster presentation for the topic "Interventions / Peripheral Circulation / Stroke / Surgery", European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017, August 26-30, Barcelona, Spain.

Collaborations

Collaborations

	University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery   Collaborations on: Development of a novel ring for aortic valve annuloplasty
	ASST Alessandro Manzoni di Lecco Cardiothoracic Surgery Department Collaborations on: Evaluation of the biomechanical performances of biological prostheses Contacts | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	LivaNova (London, UK) Collaborations on: Experimental evaluation of novel prostheses for aortic valve treatments
	Abbott Vascular (Santa Clara, CA,US) Collaborations on: Experimental assessment of novel treatments for mitral and tricuspid valve
	Tendyne Holdings, Inc (Roseville, MN, US)  Collaborations on: Experimental assessment of a transcatheter device for standard and off-label applications
	Epygon sas (Paris, France) Collaborations on: experimental study of a transcatheter valve for mitral implantation
	Aorticlab Sàrl (Savigny, Switzerland) Collaborations on: Research activity: development of novel strategies for the transcatheter treatment of the aortic valve This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Kephalios sas (Aix-en-Provence, France) Collaborations on: experimental studies for the development of a novel device for mitral valve functional regurgitation treatment
	Artiness srl (Milano, Italy) Collaborations on: Development of holographic numerical models of pathological and treated heart valves

Equipment and available technologies

Equipment and Available Technology

• Pulse duplicator
• Systemic and pulmonary criculation impendacne simulators
• Coronary impendance simulator
• Echographic system Philips ie33 with transthoracic X5-1 and transesophageal CX7-2t probes
• Digital high-speed video camera Phantom Miro2, Vision Research.
• Flowmeter HT110R, Transonic Systems, 1 inch probe (20XL)
• Flowmeter T403, Transonic Systems, 1/16 inch probes (4PXN)
• 8 channel signal conditioning system for strain gage applications Vishay A2, with board A2SG8BW
• Fiberscope (Olympus ENF-GP) and image acquisiotion system (Olympus Visera OTV-s7)

Funding

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

• Fondazione per la ricerca in Cardiochirurgia ONLUS, Milan, Italy
• Fondazione Italo Monzino , Milan, Italy

Open positions

........ coming soon!