Advanced, In-Vitro Cardiovascular Modeling: Mock Circulatory Loops for Device Testing, Procedural Planning, and Computational Validation

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality globally, driving the continuous development of novel medical devices and transcatheter interventional procedures. The regulatory and development pathways for these innovations require rigorous preclinical testing. While computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and in-vivo animal models have traditionally been the cornerstones of such testing, advanced in-vitro models, specifically Mock Circulatory Loops (MCLs) and bench-top simulators, are becoming increasingly indispensable, aligning perfectly with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principles.Modern MCLs offer highly controlled, reproducible environments that allow researchers to isolate specific hemodynamic variables, visualize complex flows, and replicate patient-specific physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, these bench-top setups are crucial for the experimental validation of in-silico Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and CFD models, as well as for the safe, ethical pre-procedural planning of complex interventions. In this context, applying rigorous frameworks for Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ), as prescribed by the ASME V&V 40 standard, is becoming essential to establish the credibility of computational models used in medical device development.This Research Topic aims to highlight the latest advancements, design methodologies, and applications of mock circulatory loops and bench-top models in the cardiovascular medtech space. We seek to gather cutting-edge research that demonstrates how in-vitro testing is accelerating device innovation, improving procedural safety, and refining computational techniques.We will accept the following article types: Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Methods. Submissions including in-silico models must demonstrate methodological rigor and strictly require experimental validation or integration with in-vitro or in-vivo data.Key themes include but are not limited to the following:• Design, development, and tuning of physiological and pathological mock circulatory loops (e.g., heart failure, valvular diseases)• In-vitro hemodynamic assessment and bench-top testing of cardiovascular devices (e.g., prosthetic heart valves, ventricular assist devices, stents, and grafts)• Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) of computational simulations (CFD and FSI) applying the ASME V&V 40 framework alongside advanced flow measurement techniques in MCLs• Patient-specific bench models leveraging 3D printing and compliant anatomical materials for interventional procedural planning and physician training• Integration of advanced sensors, medical imaging modalities, and automated control systems within in-vitro circulatory loops• Use of MCLs as tools for the development of control systems with intelligent adjustment for ventricular assist devices• Regulatory perspectives, challenges, and standardization of in-vitro testing protocols for cardiovascular medical devices Topic editors: Emanuele Gasparotti, Krzysztof Zielinski, Jeison Willian Gomes da Fonseca, Matthew Hirschhorn Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84977/advanced-in-vitro-cardiovascular-modeling-mock-circulatory-loops-for-device-testing-procedural-planning-and-computational-validation