Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for blood flow in cardiovascular medical devices and blood damage prediction

Background: The hemodynamic performance of cardiovascular medical devices and their potential to cause blood damage are critical factors in ensuring patient safety and device efficacy. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a valuable tool for simulating blood flow within these devices and predicting the risk of blood damage.Objective: This study aims to utilize CFD simulations to evaluate the local hemodynamic performance of a particular implantable device and to provide precise predictions about likely adverse clinical effects, cutting-edge techniques like LDA or PIV must be accessible.Methods: A patient-specific CFD model of the cardiovascular system and medical devices was developed based on medical imaging data. Hemodynamic parameters such as shear stress and flow recirculation were computed to identify regions of potential blood damage. The simulations were validated against data.Results: The CFD simulations revealed intricate flow patterns and areas of concern within the medical devices. Elevated shear stresses and prolonged residence times were identified in certain regions, indicating a risk of blood damage (Figure ۲). By quantifying these parameters, the study provided a comprehensive assessment of potential blood damage locations and severity levels.Conclusion: Computational Fluid Dynamics proved to be a robust approach for evaluating blood flow within cardiovascular devices and predicting potential blood damage. The study highlighted specific design modifications that could mitigate the risk of blood damage, thus contributing to the improvement of device safety. The integration of CFD with patient-specific data offers clinicians and engineers a powerful tool for optimizing cardiovascular device design and minimizing patient risk.

Keywords:

Shear Stress , Hemolysis prediction , Devices Optimization , Cardiovascular implants , Fluid Dynamics