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Flow behavior in models of end-to-side vascular graft anastomoses was studied under steady and pulsatile flow conditions. Models were constructed to simulate geometries employed in experimental studies on intimal thickening in a canine model. Reynolds numbers, division of flow in the outflow tracts and the pulsatile waveform employed were taken from measurements obtained in the canine model. Flows in the scaled-up, transparent models were visualized with white, neutrally buoyant particles which were photographed under laser illumination and also recorded on video tape under bright incandescent light. Strong, three-dimensional helical patterns which formed in the anastomotic junction were prominent features of the flow fields. Regions of low wall shear, oscillatory wall shear and long particle residence time were identified from the flow visualization experiments. Comparisons with the limited qualitative data available on intimal thickening in vascular graft anastomoses suggest a relation between localization of vascular intimal thickening and those surfaces experiencing low shear and long particle residence time.

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