In-vitro hemodynamic measurements and in-silico simulation of a physical model of arterial bifurcation

The quantification of fluid-structure interactions in arterial walls (from a biomechanical standpoint) requires a complete characterization of blood flow, shear stress in the interface between blood and endothelium, wall elasticity and wall stresses distribution. These interactions play an important role in pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. A specific hemodynamic work bench simulator is used for an in-vitro characterization of the biomechanics and hemodynamics of a custom constructed physical model of arterial bifurcation, under near-physiologic pulsated flow conditions. The model was constructed using fresh porcine aorta. Some experimental in-vitro results are shown. In-vitro results are compared with in-silico results obtained from a simple CFD model of the abovementioned bifurcation. Experimental data allow construction of meshes and parameter estimation of the biomechanical properties of the arterial wall, as well as boundary conditions, all suitable to be employed in CFD and FSI numerical simulation. Insilico simulations enables the estimation of some parameters that cannot be easily obtained by means of in-vitro experimental measurements (for example wall shear stress).