Texas Tech Professor Awarded NIH Funds for Mitral Valve Research

A Texas Tech engineering professor has been awarded nearly $400,000 by the National Institutes of Health to help prevent mitral regurgitation. Zhaoming He, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was given this award for his proposal titled Mitral Valve Coaptation Plate for Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation. He has been studying the mechanical and muscular function of the mitral valve and the best way to repair or modify it. “Our research has the potential to greatly impact the way that surgeons work on the mitral valve,” He said. “This will lead to more efficient ways of performing surgical procedures and could guide the medical community in the development of new devices that can prevent mitral regurgitation. In the end, this will extend the life and increase the quality of life for patients with certain heart diseases.” He is now examining the use of a coaptation plate. This is affixed to the mitral valve to aid in the proper closing of the valve, thus minimizing or resolving regurgitation and overcoming ischemia. Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu. CONTACT: Jeff Sammons, senior editor, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-3451 ext 243, or jeff.sammons@ttu.edu.