The Hemodynamic Effect of Modified Blalock–Taussig Shunt Morphologies: A Computational Analysis Based on Reduced Order Modeling

Abstract

The Modified Blalock Taussig Shunt (MBTS) is one of the most common palliative operations in case of cyanotic heart diseases. Thus far, the decision on the position, size, and geometry of the implant relies on clinicians’ experience. In this paper, a Medical Digital Twin pipeline based on reduced order modeling is presented for fast and interactive evaluation of the hemodynamic parameters of MBTS. An infant case affected by complete pulmonary atresia was selected for this study. A three-dimensional digital model of the infant’s MBTS morphology was generated. A wide spectrum of MBTS geometries was explored by introducing twelve Radial Basis Function mesh modifiers. The combination of these modifiers allowed for analysis of various MBTS shapes. The final results proved the potential of the proposed approach for the investigation of significant hemodynamic features such as velocity, pressure, and wall shear stress as a function of the shunt’s morphology in real-time. In particular, it was demonstrated that the modifications of the MBTS morphology had a profound effect on the hemodynamic indices. The adoption of reduced models turned out to be a promising path to follow for MBTS numerical evaluation, with the potential to support patient-specific preoperative planning.

HPC+ in the medical field: Overview and current examples

“…The MDT is obtained from a Reduced Order Model (ROM) that represents the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) behaviour of the shunt (Fig. 1 ) [ 34 ]. Usage of HPC resources accelerates the time-demanding ROM generation step allowing to obtain the MDT within a time scale compatible with clinical needs.…”

“…5. Example of interface for MDT of MBTS (a), computational times (b) and relative times percentages for the different application stages (c) as a function of number of HPC nodes.is obtained from a Reduced Order Model (ROM) that represents the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) behaviour of the shunt (Fig.1)[34]. Usage of HPC resources accelerates the time-demanding ROM generation step allowing to obtain the MDT within a time scale compatible with clinical needs.The MDT procedure foresaw a pre-processing, a computation and a post-processing stage.…”

Towards a Digital Twin in Human Brain: Brain Tumor Detection Using K-Means

“…The ascending/descending aorta sections, aortic arch, epiaortic vessels, the pulmonary branch and the valve plane were segmented so the model was created. Based on that the MBTS part was recognized and with the fluid equations that were created the parameters of the surgery were evaluated [16]. Poletti G et al created coronary artery DTs of different patients who undergo stent implantation surgery.…”

Design And Optimization Of Aeronautical Components And Digital Twins Development

“…Digital twins find many engineering applications in different fields. In the medical sector [1] [2] [3] [4], digital twins are used to make predictions of problematic behavior, to simulate surgical interventions, in the electronic field [5] they are used to reproduce the functioning of HPC and monitor its functioning to predict and anticipate possible malfunctions, avoiding service interruptions. In this project digital twins are used to create an advanced optimization platform, which allows you to visualize in real time both field quantities and scalar quantities coming from different physics, all integrated into the same dashboard, with the possibility of connecting the different submodels, different components of the same object.…”