Abstract
A realistic model of the left ventricle of the heart was previously constructed, using a cast from a dog heart which was in diastole. Previous studies of the three-dimensional heart model were conducted in systole only. The purpose of this investigation was to extend the model to both systole and diastole, and to determine what the effect of a previous cardiac cycle was on the next cardiac cycle. The 25.8 cc ventricular volume was reduced by 40% in 0.25 seconds, then increased to the original volume in another 0.25 seconds and then allowed to rest for 0.25 seconds. Runs done with an ejection fraction of 60% showed little variation from one cardiac cycle to another after the third cardiac cycle was completed; the maximum velocity could vary by over 30% between the first and second cardiac cycles. In systole, centerline and cross-sectional velocity vectors greatly increased in magnitude at the aortic outlet. Most of the pressure drop occurred in the top 15% of the heart. The diastolic phase showed complex vortex formation not seen in the systolic contractions; these complex vortices could account for experimentally observed turbulent blood flow fluctuations in the aorta.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 61-71 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Biorheology |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1995 Jan 1 |
Keywords
- Computational fluid dynamics
- blood flow
- diastole
- heart
- left ventricle
- systole
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Physiology (medical)