Velocity distribution model for normal blood flow in the human ascending aorta

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Accurate measurement of blood flow dynamics in the human ascending aorta is crucial for understanding cardiovascular health.
• Existing methods often provide discrete data points, necessitating advanced techniques for comprehensive profile generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for generating two-dimensional (2D) velocity profiles in the human ascending aorta from discrete velocity data.
• To analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of blood flow velocity within the ascending aorta during the cardiac cycle.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive geometrical model was developed and optimized using a serial technique with a least-squares method.
• The model was expanded to 16 elements, each with 16 constants, to represent complex flow patterns.
• Published velocity data from two studies on six subjects with normal aortic valves were utilized.

Main Results:

• Three-dimensional graphic displays revealed common features in velocity distribution 6 cm above the aortic valve.
• A pronounced skewness in velocity distribution was observed, rotating clockwise during systole.
• Reversed flow towards the left coronary sinus and secondary flow augmentation were noted in late systole and early diastole.

Conclusions:

• The developed geometrical model successfully generated 2D velocity profiles from discrete data, offering insights into ascending aorta hemodynamics.
• Blood flow in the ascending aorta exhibits complex, non-plane-symmetric features during the cardiac cycle.
• The findings highlight the intricate nature of blood flow dynamics relevant to cardiovascular research.