Dean Vucinic
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Title: Advancements in human heart modeling and simulations based on computational fluid dynamics
Biography
Biography: Dean Vucinic
Abstract
The modeling and visualization aspects underpinning the analysis of the numerical simulation data of the bidirectional Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) characterizing the human heartbeat are discussed in details. Th is approach involves the general-purpose Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) FlowVision code and the SIMULIA Living Heart Human Model (LHHM). LHHM is a dynamic, anatomically realistic, 4-chamber heart model having 2 mechanical valves, which couples the multiphysics electrical and mechanical fi elds acting during the heartbeat. Th eir synchronous actions regulate the heart fi lling, ejection and overall pump functions. Originally, LHHM comes with a 1D fl uid network model, only capable of simulating the dynamic pressure/volume changes of the intra and extra-cardiac circulation network model. A full 3D blood circulation is numerically modeled with FlowVision, which makes possible to apply a very detailed spatial and temporal resolution for modeling the cardiac hemodynamics, together with its time-varying boundary conditions of the heartbeat. In order to validate such an approach, the bidirectional coupling between the Flow Vision blood fl ow model (CFD) and the LHHM model (FEM) is integrated with the SIMULIA co-simulation engine. Th e performed numerical modeling and simulations of the human heartbeat, as fl uid-structure interaction multiphysics phenomena are further analyses and discussed, together with the envisaged potential applications of such coupled modeling and simulation approach. Th us, especially interesting when the device interactions are necessary to be upfront considered to correctly predict their infl uence in the heart diseases treatment. Finally, it is concluded that such complex multiphysics heartbeat simulations data analysis requires advanced modeling and
visualization techniques to achieve the multidisciplinary integration of 3D electrical, structural and fl uid numerical models, expected to move this technology towards more realistic simulations of the cardiac mechanisms and thus, create new ways to treat cardiovascular disease in the future.