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Does the inflow velocity profile influence physiologically relevant flow patterns in computational hemodynamic models

Maurizio Lodi Rizzini1, Diego Gallo1, Giuseppe De Nisco1

  • 1PoliTo(BIO)Med Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.

Medical Engineering & Physics
|July 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of coronary arteries are sensitive to inflow velocity profiles. Idealized profiles are acceptable for distal segments, but not proximal ones in the left anterior descending artery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular research
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Computational fluid dynamics

Background:

  • Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is crucial for assessing hemodynamic risk in coronary arteries.
  • Uncertainty in CFD models often stems from challenges in setting accurate inflow boundary conditions due to difficulties in obtaining in vivo 3D flow measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of inflow velocity profile assumptions on coronary artery hemodynamics.
  • To determine the influence of realistic 3D flow features on hemodynamic parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstructed ten left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) geometries from clinical angiography.
  • Generated eleven analytical inflow velocity profiles with realistic 3D features (eccentricity, secondary flows).
  • Compared wall shear stress and helicity using parabolic versus realistic velocity profiles.

Main Results:

  • Idealized velocity profiles can be acceptable for hemodynamic analysis in distal LAD segments.
  • The proximal LAD segment's hemodynamics are significantly influenced by the inflow velocity profile shape.
  • A theoretical entrance length can estimate the region affected by inflow profile assumptions.

Conclusions:

  • The choice of inflow velocity profile significantly affects computational hemodynamic results in coronary arteries, particularly in proximal segments.
  • Careful consideration of inflow conditions is necessary for accurate patient-specific CFD modeling of coronary arteries.
  • Findings provide guidance for applying CFD in clinical settings, highlighting limitations of idealized profiles.

Keywords:
Boundary conditionsCardiovascular models uncertaintyComputational fluid dynamicsCoronary arteriesHelical flowWall shear stress

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