Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/2716

Title

Numerical simulation of the turbulent flow fields distal to an aortic heart valve

Author(s)

Ahmad, Amal;  Hassan, Amr;  Morsi, Yosry S.

Abstract

A numerical technique is described which simulates the turbulent flow through a aortic Jellyfish valve, for two volumetric flow rates of 15 and 26 l/min representing peak systole flow. The steady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations written in three-dimensional (3-D) format are solved iteratively using a computational fluid dynamics code (Bio-FL). The numerical results show that the flow at the edge of the membrane of the valve splits into two nearly symmetrical jets with similar phenomenological features. Moreover, the 3-D flow simulations indicate the existence of two vortices in the immediate vicinity of the valve ring. Although these vortices are attenuated rapidly downstream by diffusion, they can have an adverse effect on erythrocytes and active platelets. It is also shown that elevated shear stresses occur in the vicinity of the upstream surface of the open occluder. In general. the numerical predictions compare well with the experimental measurements made at various locations downstream of the valve. The locations and the values of maximum velocity and shear stress, as well as width and length of re-circulation regions, are correctly predicted.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences

Source

Frontiers of Medical and Biological Engineering, Vol. 11, no. 1 (2001), pp. 1-11(11)

Publication year

2001

Keyword(s)

Prosthetic aortic valves;  Numerical simulation;  Spiral vortices;  Systolic steady blood flow

Publisher

VSP

Format

pp. 1-11(11)

ISSN

0921-3775

Publisher URL

Frontiers of Medical and Biological Engineering

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156855701750383150

Copyright

© VSP 2001

Peer reviewed