A dimensionally-heterogeneous closed-loop model for the cardiovascular system and its applications

Area of Science:

• Computational fluid dynamics
• Biomedical engineering
• Cardiovascular physiology

Background:

• Accurate modeling of the cardiovascular system is crucial for understanding blood flow dynamics.
• Existing models often lack integration across different scales of detail.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive, multi-scale computational model of the entire cardiovascular system.
• To enable patient-specific hemodynamic analyses and simulate complex cardiovascular scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Utilized heterogeneous mathematical representations, including 1D models for the arterial tree and lumped parameter models for the rest of the circulation.
• Incorporated detailed 3D geometrical models for specific arterial districts.
• Developed a cardiac valve model accounting for stenoses and regurgitation.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a closed-loop cardiovascular model integrating various levels of detail.
• Demonstrated the model's capability to provide patient-specific boundary conditions for hemodynamic analysis.
• Showcased an application simulating aortic insufficiency effects on cerebral aneurysms.

Conclusions:

• The developed integrative, multi-scale model provides a powerful tool for cardiovascular research and clinical applications.
• This approach allows for the simulation of complex hemodynamic environments, aiding in the study of diseases like infective endocarditis and mycotic aneurysms.
• The model's sensitivity highlights the importance of incorporating homeostatic control mechanisms for future development.