Geometrical measurements
For geometrical assessment, we implanted 2-mm sonomicrometry crystals (Sonometrics Corp., London, ON, Canada): 6 at the aortic annulus and 6 at the STJ (Fig. 1B). The crystals were placed with 1 crystal at each nadir and 1 crystal at each commissure, at the respective level (Fig. 2). The sonomicrometry method has been validated and described in detail in earlier porcine studies [14–17].
Figure 2:  Schematic illustration of the position of the sonomicrometry crystals at the 2 levels of the aortic root. Left: aortic annulus; Right: sinotubular junction. LC: left coronary sinus; NC: non-coronary sinus; RC: right coronary sinus. Modified from Benhassen et al. [15].