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Updated: May 16, 2026
09:20
Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Large eddy simulation of powered Fontan hemodynamics.
Y Delorme1, K Anupindi, A E Kerlo
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, United States. delorme.yann@gmail.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|November 27, 2012
Summary
Children with univentricular heart disease may benefit from a novel mechanical pump in the Total Cavopulmonary Connection (TCPC). This "biventricular Fontan" approach aims to improve blood flow and reestablish normal heart function.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Univentricular heart disease necessitates complex surgical palliation, culminating in the Fontan circulation.
- The Fontan circulation relies on passive pulmonary blood flow, lacking active subpulmonary ventricular support.
- A mechanical pump could augment pressure, potentially restoring biventricular physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemodynamics of an idealized Total Cavopulmonary Connection (TCPC) with and without a mechanical assist device.
- To evaluate the feasibility of a Viscous Impeller Pump (VIP) for creating a
- biventricular Fontan
- circulation.
- To validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations against experimental measurements.
Main Methods:
- Large Eddy Simulation (LES) using a high-order numerical code (WenoHemo™).
- Modeling of both unpowered and VIP-powered idealized TCPC configurations.
- Quantitative comparison of simulation results with Stereoscopic Particle Imaging Velocimetry (SPIV) data.
Main Results:
- LES simulations accurately captured unsteady hemodynamics in the TCPC.
- The study demonstrated good qualitative and quantitative agreement between WenoHemo™ predictions and SPIV measurements.
- Simulations provided insights into flow structures and statistical data for powered and unpowered states.
Conclusions:
- High-order LES is suitable for predicting complex hemodynamics in TCPC.
- The VIP shows potential as an assist device for a "biventricular Fontan" circulation.
- Computational modeling combined with experimental data is crucial for developing advanced cardiac assist devices.
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