Blood flow simulation and vascular reconstruction

Abstract

In medical practice, bypass grafts are commonly used as an alternative route around strongly stenosed or occluded arteries. In contrast to arterial bifurcations, surgically created anastomosis can be modified with the objective of enabling optimal graft geometry to yield a flow environment that improves its longevity. This paper presents a three dimensional numerical study of blood flow through bypass systems with different geometries. Coupled with the finite element solver a shape optimization framework considering a genetic algorithm is presented. Numerical results show the benefits of understanding blood flow hemodynamic at anastomosis junctions achieving design improvements. Minimizing recirculation zones and flow stagnation can be useful in surgical planning.