Integrating FEM based chemical diffusion model for the non-homogeneity of aortic valve calcification

Heart valve calcification is a progressive pathological process characterized by calcium deposition that leads to leaflet stiffening, reduced orifice area, and ultimately, valvular failure. While the underlying biochemical signaling pathways—governing fibroblastic and osteogenic differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs)—have been modeled in previous work, these processes are not spatially uniform due to local variations in mechanical cues such as strain and shear stress. To address this heterogeneity, we extend our existing multiphysics framework by coupling a finite element method (FEM)-based diffusion model on the valve surface. By running the biochemical model at multiple surface locations and incorporating spatial diffusion of chemical species, we aim to more accurately simulate the non-uniform progression of calcification. The diffusion model, implemented on a triangular mesh extracted from immersed boundary-based 3D fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations, captures spatial transport across the valve surface and provides more realistic inputs to the biochemical network. This integrated approach enhances our ability to predict the spatial dynamics of valve calcification and offers a path toward improved patient-specific modeling.