Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring
Published on: May 2, 2025
Hemodynamic Effects of A Simplified Venturi Conduit for Fontan Circulation: A Pilot, In Silico Analysis
Fang Zhu1, Guocheng Shi1, Chen Wen1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Objectives:
To study the effects of a self-powered Fontan circulation in both idealized Fontan models and patient-specific models.
Methods:
In silico, a conduit with a nozzle was introduced from ascending aorta into the anastomosis of superior vena cava and pulmonary artery. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was applied to calculate the fluid fields of models. Three 3-dimentional idealized models with different offsets were reconstructed by computer-aided design to evaluate the effects of the self-powered conduit. Furthermore, to validate the effects in patient-specific models, the conduit was introduced to three reconstructed models with different offsets.
Results:
The pressures at superior venae cavae and inferior venae cavae were decreased in both idealized models (0.4 mmHg) and patient-specific models (0.7 mmHg). In idealized models, the flows to left lungs were decreased (70%) by the jets from the conduits. However, in patient-specific models, the reductions of blood to the left lungs were relatively limited (30%) comparing to idealized models.
Conclusions:
CFD simulation was applied to analyze the effectiveness of the Fontan self-powered conduit. This self-powered conduit may help to decrease the venae cavae pressures and increase the flow to pulmonary arteries.
