Computational Fluid Dynamics in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a mechanical engineering field for analyzing fluid flow, heat transfer, and associated phenomena, using computer-based simulation. CFD is a widely adopted methodology for solving complex problems in many modern engineering fields. The merit of CFD is developing new and improved devices and system designs, and optimization is conducted on existing equipment through computational simulations, resulting in enhanced efficiency and lower operating costs. However, in the biomedical field, CFD is still emerging. The main reason why CFD in the biomedical field has lagged behind is the tremendous complexity of human body fluid behavior. Recently, CFD biomedical research is more accessible, because high performance hardware and software are easily available with advances in computer science. All CFD processes contain three main components to provide useful information, such as pre-processing, solving mathematical equations, and post-processing. Initial accurate geometric modeling and boundary conditions are essential to achieve adequate results. Medical imaging, such as ultrasound imaging, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging can be used for modeling, and Doppler ultrasound, pressure wire, and non-invasive pressure measurements are used for flow velocity and pressure as a boundary condition. Many simulations and clinical results have been used to study congenital heart disease, heart failure, ventricle function, aortic disease, and carotid and intra-cranial cerebrovascular diseases. With decreasing hardware costs and rapid computing times, researchers and medical scientists may increasingly use this reliable CFD tool to deliver accurate results. A realistic, multidisciplinary approach is essential to accomplish these tasks. Indefinite collaborations between mechanical engineers and clinical and medical scientists are essential. CFD may be an important methodology to understand the pathophysiology of the development and progression of disease and for establishing and creating treatment modalities in the cardiovascular field.

Use of 3D rotational angiography to perform computational fluid dynamics and virtual interventions in aortic coarctation

“…CFD uses computer‐based simulation to analyze fluid flow and has been used for decades to analyze blood flow in the cardiovascular system, particularly in the coronary arteries, the aorta, and single ventricle heart disease . While CFD is approved for clinical use in coronary artery disease, it is not routinely used in congenital heart disease for diagnosis or clinical decision making .…”

Thrust Prediction of an Active Flapping Foil in Waves Using CFD

“…Also, CFD can be coupled with the computational structural mechanics (CSM) to simulate several multi-physics problems such as fluid-structure interaction (FSI). In recent years, FSI simulations have been conducted to evaluate the environmental loads and dynamic response of the offshore structures [13][14][15] and many aerodynamic [16,17] and biomedical applications [18,19].…”

Simulation of Crude Palm Oil Dilution in a Palm Oil Mill Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

“…The utilization of CFD offers an advantage to its users as it complements experimental and analytical approaches, where CFD provides an alternative cost-effective approach to simulate real fluid flow, especially for simulating flow conditions that are not reproducible by experimental tests or too costly to be conducted experimentally [4]. The utilization of CFD offers an advantage to its users as it complements experimental and analytical approaches, where CFD provides an alternative cost-effective approach to simulate real fluid flow, especially for simulating flow conditions that are not reproducible by experimental tests or too costly to be conducted experimentally [4].…”

“…Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful numerical tool that is becoming widely used to simulate processes in various industries. The utilization of CFD offers an advantage to its users as it complements experimental and analytical approaches, where CFD provides an alternative cost-effective approach to simulate real fluid flow, especially for simulating flow conditions that are not reproducible by experimental tests or too costly to be conducted experimentally [4]. Moreover, CFD is able to provide detailed visual and comprehensive information using post-processing tools once the model in CFD is validated and verified.…”