Velocity distribution along the coronary arteries in a 3D fluid structure interaction model of the aortic valve

INTRODUCTION In recent years we have improved our previous fluid structure interaction (FSI) model of aortic valve first by addition of the sinuses of valsalva and now by expanding it to include the coronary structure. This FSI model will enable us to retrieve data related to either the fluid domain such as flow patterns, velocity distribution, perfusion level into the coronaries or the structural domain such as distensibility, maximum stress and leaflet dynamics. Inclusion of the coronaries allows us to investigate many interesting aspects which were not possible with the previously established models by other groups. The structural portion of this model is presented in Figure 1. The goal of the present study is to include the flow in the coronary arteries in order to derive hemodynamic information in these structures specifically velocity distribution. A hypothesis is that valve dynamics, root geometry and tissue properties have significant impact on perfusion levels and velocity profile in the coronaries.