Modeling of aortic valve stenosis using fluid-structure interaction method

Background and objectives: Fluid structure interaction (FSI) is defined as interaction of the structures with contacting fluids. The aortic valve experiences the interaction with blood flow in systolic phase. In this study, we have tried to predict the hemodynamics of blood flow through a normal and stenotic aortic valve in two relaxation and exercise conditions using a three-dimensional FSI method. Methods: The aorta valve was modeled as a three-dimensional geometry including a normal model and two others with 25% and 50% stenosis. The geometry of the aortic valve was extracted from CT images and the models were generated by MMIMCS software and then they were implemented in ANSYS software. The pulsatile flow rate was used for all cases and the numerical simulations were conducted based on a time-dependent domain. Results: The obtained results including the velocity, pressure, and shear stress contours in different systolic time sequences were explained and discussed. The maximum blood flow velocity in relaxation phase was obtained 1.62 m/s (normal valve), 3.78 m/s (25% stenosed valve), and 4.73 m/s (50% stenosed valve). In exercise condition, the maximum velocities are 2.86, 4.32, and 5.42 m/s respectively. The maximum blood pressure in relaxation phase was calculated 111.45 mmHg (normal), 148.66 mmHg (25% stenosed), and 164.21 mmHg (50% stenosed). However, the calculated values in exercise situation were 129.57, 163.58, and 191.26 mmHg. The validation of the predicted results was also conducted using existing literature. Conclusions: We believe that such model are useful tools for biomechanical experts. The further studies should be done using experimental data and the data are implemented on the boundary conditions for better comparison of the results.

Download Full-text

A three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model for estimating the heart energy consumption of blood flow through the aortic valve

Engineering Solid Mechanics ◽

10.5267/j.esm.2019.11.003 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 271-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ali Vazifehdoostsaleh ◽

Morteza Darjani ◽

Aram Bahmani

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Flow Through

Download Full-text

Image-Guided Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of Transvalvular Hemodynamics: Quantifying the Effects of Varying Aortic Valve Leaflet Thickness

Fluids ◽

10.3390/fluids4030119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 119 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anvar Gilmanov ◽

Alexander Barker ◽

Henryk Stolarski ◽

Fotis Sotiropoulos

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Heart Valve ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Maximum Velocity ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Hemodynamic Parameters ◽

Orifice Area ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction

When flow-induced forces are altered at the blood vessel, maladaptive remodeling can occur. One reason such remodeling may occur has to do with the abnormal functioning of the aortic heart valve due to disease, calcification, injury, or an improperly-designed prosthetic valve, which restricts the opening of the valve leaflets and drastically alters the hemodynamics in the ascending aorta. While the specifics underlying the fundamental mechanisms leading to changes in heart valve function may differ from one cause to another, one common and important change is in leaflet stiffness and/or mass. Here, we examine the link between valve stiffness and mass and the hemodynamic environment in aorta by coupling magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high-resolution fluid–structure interaction (FSI) computational fluid dynamics to simulate blood flow in a patient-specific model. The thoracic aorta and a native aortic valve were re-constructed in the FSI model from the MRI data and used for the simulations. The effect of valve stiffness and mass is parametrically investigated by varying the thickness (h) of the leaflets (h = 0.6, 2, 4 mm). The FSI simulations were designed to investigate systematically progressively higher levels of valve stiffness by increasing valve thickness and quantifying hemodynamic parameters known to be linked to aortopathy and valve disease. The computed results reveal dramatic differences in all hemodynamic parameters: (1) the geometric orifice area (GOA), (2) the maximum velocity V max of the jet passing through the aortic orifice area, (3) the rate of energy dissipation E ˙ diss ( t ) , (4) the total loss of energy E diss , (5) the kinetic energy of the blood flow E kin ( t ) , and (6) the average magnitude of vorticity Ω a ( t ) , illustrating the change in hemodynamics that occur due to the presence of aortic valve stenosis.

Download Full-text