International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319-7064

Impact Factor (2012): 3.358

Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of Blood

Flow Pattern - A Review
Bharath Ganesan1, Karthikeyan Mayakrishnan2
1
Department of Biotechnology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has made impressive progress in the past decade and has evolved into a promising
design tool for the development of biomedical devices. Rheology deals with the flow and deformations of fluids in a set of given
conditions Blood being a biological fluid has its own behaviour and rheology, flow pattern of blood varies during the flow of blood in
the blood vessels in the body. The utilization of computational fluid dynamics in the analysis of blood behaviour has been discussed and
the potential for developing an instrumentation using flow pattern is analysed.

Keywords: Blood, Blood Flow, Haemorheology, Haemodynamic, Blood vessels

1. Introduction the individual which is determined by the hematocrit value,

plasma viscosity and the properties of red blood cells.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has made impressive
progress in the past decade and has evolved into a promising Hemorheology deals with the deformation occurring in
design tool for the development of biomedical devices. CFD blood during its flow in a blood vessel this requires various
presents itself as a useful tool for investigating domain space levels of analysis and geometries of blood and blood vessels
for physical system design and performance variables [1] which would define the exact rheological changes occurring
and for diagnosing system behaviour. Computational fluid in blood flow [10]. The non-Newtonian effects are also
dynamics (CFD) is a software- based application of influenced by the type of deformation, being shear or
numerical methods that allows the prediction of fluid flow elongation. The non- Newtonian nature of blood acts as a
fields through the computational solution of the fundamental regulating factor to reduce resistance and stress and hence
governing fluid dynamic equations relating to continuity, contribute to the body protection [14].
momentum and energy [2]. Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD) can be applied to gain insights into most fluid Considering the circulatory system the non-Newtonian
processes and associated phenomena. Computational Fluid effects is highly dependent on the shape and size of the flow
Dynamics (CFD) is a group of techniques aimed at solving vessels which alters different non-Newtonian rheological
the Navier-Stokes equations [24] or strictly Reynolds- behaviour [16] in the vessels and hence different flow
Averaged Navier-Stokes equations in most cases, thereby modelling approaches should be applied to the different
satisfying the conservation of mass, momentum and energy parts of the circulatory system. Non-Newtonian effects in
to predict the behaviour of fluidic systems general are dependent on the magnitude of deformation rates
and hence they can exist or be enhanced at certain low
The application of CFD may replace existing analytical regimes such as low shear rates [38].
techniques when a higher number of design variations are to
be analysed [33] and where physical testing may be The major aim of the study is to analyse the various studies
prohibited due to restricting factors, such as scale, cost, which were carried out using CFD for analysing the
accessibility, or the presence of physical or environmental behaviour of blood in various parts of the body’s blood
hazards. Fluid (gas and liquid) flows are governed by partial vessels for gaining knowledge on the application of CFD
differential equations which represent conservation laws for and for determining the potential of CFD in the field of
the mass, momentum, and energy. Computational Fluid medical instrumentation for the analysis and development of
Dynamics (CFD) is by means of replacing such PDE new techniques and diagnostic methods for disease
systems by a set of algebraic equations which can be solved diagnosis using CFD studies.
using computers.
2. Blood Flow Analysis in Portal Vein
Rheology deals with the flow and deformations of fluids in a
set of given conditions this rheology [14] various from each The blood flow parameter for the hepatic portal vein was
fluid based on their physical properties such as Viscosity, considered during the simulation with an average pressure
density, specific gravity and pressure which determines the of 40cm water column. The study has shown the potential of
deformation occurring in the fluid. The fluid on its flow path computation fluid dynamics study over the analysis of blood
alters its pattern of flow based on the flow path dimensions flow parameters during clots in hepatic portal vein with
this provides the degree of deformation of fluid from its which the impact of the clots altered the velocity magnitude,
original flow. Blood is biological fluid and has its own pressure, strain rate and sheer stress which shows the
behaviour and rheology, flow pattern of blood varies during variation in the blood flow pattern can be deduced during a
the flow of blood in the blood vessels in the body [13].The particular condition such as a clot in the flow path of blood.
blood which has a non-Newtonian behaviour has a standard The variation in the velocity magnitude was observed due to
viscosity and this varies based on pathological condition of the clot restraining the flow path. The variation of pressure
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Paper ID: 02014990 369
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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
can be seen due to the variation in the velocity magnitude. relevance to the aortic diseases. In the analysis of the aorta
The sheer stress exerted on the surface of the walls and the by [25]. Computational fluid dynamics approach is adopted
strain developed over the blood vessels [34]. The study to investigate blood flow patterns in thoracic aorta.
proves the application of CFD in the field of medicine and Geometrically variant models are reconstructed from CT
has provided an insight on the behavioural changes of blood scans of patients of the age of 50 years. A pulsatile input
during the flow in hepatic portal vein systems. velocity waveform and output pressure waveform were
applied on the models for 5 cycles and the results were
3. Coronary Artery Analysis Using CFD compared across the models. The demonstrated velocity
profiles were skewed towards the inner bend throughout the
The principal findings of this study by [26] are that both of ascending aorta and aortic arch, before shifting into
the aneurysms which was taken for consideration was symmetry in the descending aorta. Comparisons reveal that
present parallel to the main flow and behave like a cavity. the angle of the outlet branches and curvature profile play a
The flow pattern in the artery was analysed and found that vital role in affecting the skewness of velocity profiles
recirculation fluid region was formed inside the aneurysms obtained. The wall shear stresses are also affected by
at the diameter of eight millimetres. The strong secondary geometric features of the aorta proving the detection of the
flow was detected inside both aneurysms with the changing variation in flow pattern due to the variation in the geometry
diameters of four to eight millimetres. The study also dealt of the flow path of blood.
with the secondary flows in the coronary artery at the inlet
of LCX and LAD arteries. The effect of the size of 6. Cardiomyopathy Analysis Using Fluid
aneurysms on the exit flow ratios was also studied and the Dynamics
flow reduction on the branch which has the aneurysm was
located. This study is driven by the need to establish a The study on heart and the circulation process requires
technique that can identify the optimum regions for analysis proper knowledge of the circulatory system to inspect flow
of aneurism and its effects on blood flow. The study proved abnormalities within a diseased heart. It is important to have
that CFD can be potentially exploited for the patient specific an understanding of the blood flow process and its pattern in
identification and it could benefit the diagnosis for the a normal circulatory process which is understood by
advanced intervention techniques. The further analysis by efficient and consistent flow patterns. Various pathological
using CFD could generate flow pattern data for the exact patterns and affected areas have different effects on the
determination of aneurism in the coronary arteries. blood flow pattern in the blood vessels. The cardiomyopathy
is characterized by enlarged left ventricle chambers and
4. Analysis of Blood Pumps reduced wall motion, both globally and regionally.
Thrombus and its formation were detected and analysed in
A review of the currently existing Ventricular assist devices cardiomyopathy through the use of CFD analysis.
(VAD) [22] showed the annotation of the current devices Geometrical analysis methods in CFD approach were used
which are being used for the assisting of the heart. The to study hemodynamics within the left ventricle. Therefore a
review deals with the VAD designs, requirements and the precise study design has been provide with the insight to
importance of the development of such devices using CFD. develop a heart assisting device [8].
The complex structure of blood, including its shear-thinning
and viscoelastic behaviour, as well as tank-treading of RBCs 7. Modelling of Intracranial Network
have been analysed on an overview of by current state-of
the- art methods for the analysis of blood flow. Quantitative The flow pattern simulations of unsteady flow in complex
results for unsteady blood flow have been given for the arterial networks of the brain have been achieved with 1D
GYRO blood pump before which the CFD based predictions and 3D numerical models in respect with the arterial wall
of hydraulic pump performance fit well the experimental elasticity. In simulations using CFD tools the pressure and
data at lower rotational speeds taken for analysis. The work flow rates were analysed under various conditions.
reviewed in this paper are that blood behaves like a However, the fluctuations in the pressure and flow rates
Newtonian fluid and reduces the three-dimensional shear predicted by the model are significantly higher [18].
forces acting on the RBCs by a scalar shear-stress, which is Convergence of the flow rates and pressure predicted by the
then correlated to experimental results under steady flow. A 1D model to the 3D model was observed based on stiffening
tensor RBC model, derived from a model of a deforming of the arterial walls. There were influences due to the local
droplet was modified to include tank-treading. Comparative area fluctuations which contributed significant to the long
studies in blood pumps between a stress-based and a strain- range effects on the flow and pressure waveforms in distant
based method for calculating the stress and strain regions of the relatively large arterial network. The
relationship can serve to evaluate the predictive potential Windkessel effect was observed due to the elasticity of the
[19]. The blood pumps used and the potential for the blood vessels in the arterial system where blood pumped by
development of new blood pumps based on flow pattern is the heart during systolic phase is partially stored in the
analysed. vessels. This study proves the variation in the flow as the
modelling carried out at 1D and 3D shows the variation and
5. Simulating Blood Flow in an Aortic Arch the pattern changes occurring in arterial networks.

Blood flow patterns in the blood vessels have been handled

and identified through which typical thoracic aorta and its

Volume 3 Issue 7, July 2014

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Paper ID: 02014990 370
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
8. Geometric Model Generation of Blood the heart during systolic phase is partially stored in the
vessels [18]. This study proves the variation in the flow as
The work explains the utilization of CFD analysis for the the modelling carried out at 1D and 3D shows the variation
improved analysis and construction of geometric models for and the pattern changes occurring in arterial networks. The
blood flow. The image processing of the blood vessels has tiniest variation in the flow pattern can be analysed using
been carried out utilizing local constrained watershed CFD analysis.
algorithm. An adaptive algorithm is utilized for the anatomic
model analysis and simulation. The geometric model of the The study based on the application of computational fluid
patient’s specific carotid arteries the hemodynamic dynamics has provided numerous new opportunities for the
parameters will provide a practical tool for diagnosis development of new diagnostic methods for detection of
planning, and postoperative monitoring of arterial diseases. clots and aneurysms. The study on flow pattern in hepatic
By comparing the blood flow pattern before and after the portal vein [34] showed the variation of flow pattern during
therapy, the model can be used to assist the optimal a clot and free flow in the vein. The programming of an
therapeutic dosage. The variations and development of a new algorithm for the comparison of flow pattern analysis [29]
algorithm for the flow pattern detection in arterial diseases validated the possibilities of a programming device by using
has exploited the implications of CFD in the field of medical the flow pattern variation. The further exploitation of the
diagnosis [29]. CFD in the field of medical diagnosis of blood and its
components can pave a way for the development of
9. Conclusion and Future Perception instrumentation for early clot detection using the
behavioural changes occurring during the blood flow. The
The paper gives a potential insight into the utilization of potential designing of a instrumentation and effective
CFD in the field of medicine and diagnosis of human diagnosis of the early clot formation can be carried out
systems. The work on the [34] portal vein system with and through which the diagnosis of myocardial infarction can be
without clots gives an potential to utilize CFD analysis for made efficient.
the understanding and analysis of blood vessels and blood
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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
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[23] M.I. Altbach, “Cardiac MRI is complementary to Mr. M. Karthikeyan M. Tech., (Ph.D.), is currently working as an
echocardiography in the assessment of cardiac masses”, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at
Echocardiography, 2007; 286–300. K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchegode, India. He
[24] Myint, W., S. Hosokawa and A. Tomiyama, “Terminal has about three years of teaching experience with publications in
International Journals and one Indian patent. His areas of
velocity of single drops in stagnant liquids”, Journal of
specializations are Enzyme Engineering and Computational Fluid
Fluid Science and Technology 2006; 72-81. dynamics.
[25] Naruse, T. Tanishita, K., “Large Curvature effect on
pulsatile entrance flow in a curved tube: model Mr. G. Bharath is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in
experiment simulating blood flow in an aortic arch”, J Engineering in the Department of Biotechnology at
Biomechanical Engineering. 1996;118: 180 – 186. K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode, India. He
[26] NurullahArslan, VolkanTuzcu, Selman Nas and has about four publications in National and International journals
AyseDurukan, “CFD modeling of blood flow inside and one Indian patent. His area of interest includes Environmental
human left coronary artery bifurcation with aneurysms”, Biotechnology and Bio fluid rheology. He is currently working on
the Computational Fluid dynamic analysis of Blood flow pattern.
IFMBE Proc, 2005; 11(1).

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