A flow visualization study of an anatomic coronary artery anastomosis model with an implant.

Flow Streamlining Devices is a new tool in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). They aim in: a) Performing a sutureless anastomosis to reduce thrombosis at the veno-arterial junction, and b) Providing a hemodynamically efficient scaffolding to reduce secondary flow disturbances. Thrombosis and flow disturbances are factors that have been reported as contributing factors to the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) and failure of the graft. By reducing thrombosis and flow disturbances, it is expected that IH will be inhibited and the lifetime of the graft extended. To evaluate the hemodynamic benefits of such an implant, two models were designed and fabricated. One simulated the geometry of the conventional anastomosis without an implant, and the other simulated an anastomosis with a flow streamlining implant. Identical flow conditions relevant to a coronary anastomosis were imposed on both models and flow visualization was performed with dye injection and a digital camera. Results showed reduction of disturbances in the presence of the implant. This reduction seems to be favorable to hemodynamic streamlining which may create conditions that may inhibit the initialization of IH. However, the compliance and geometric mismatch between the anastomosis and the implant created a disturbance at the rigid compliant wall interface, which should be eliminated prior to clinical applications.     

The hemodynamic effects of compliance, bulging, and curvature in a saphenous vein coronary artery bypass graft model.

The development of Intimal Hyperplasia (IH) in saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts (SV-CABG) is responsible for the short-term patency of these grafts. Previous studies of SV-CABG models were performed on rigid anastomotic vessels. However, the effects of compliance, bulging and curvature at the anastomosis on the general hemodynamic field, due to compliance and geometric mismatch between the vein and the artery have not been evaluated. We studied axial and transverse velocities by Laser Doppler Velocimetry on a compliant, in vitro, anatomical model of an end-to-side saphenous vein graft (SVG) to left anterior descending (LAD). The model incorporated a bulge at the sinus and curvature at the graft-host junction. Physiologic pressure and flow conditions pertaining to SV-CABG were applied. The presence of the bulge and curvature showed differences in the velocity profiles in comparison with previous rigid model studies. Dynamic separation zones were temporally augmented at the flow divider. The moving stagnation point at the floor of the host vessel was observed to move past the toe of the model during the accelerating portion of the cycle. These findings suggest that the presence of the bulge curvature and compliance may further favor conditions for the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) at the floor of a CABG.     

A Novel Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Design of Sequential Anastomoses

In this paper, the hemodynamics in a three-dimensional out-of-plane sequential bypass graft model is first investigated. Based on the advantageous flow characteristics observed within the side-to-side (STS) anastomosis in the sequential bypass graft simulation, a new CABG coupled-sequential anastomosis configuration is designed, entailing coupled STS and end-to-side (ETS) anastomotic components. In this new CABG design, the flow fields and distributions of various wall shear stress parameters within the STS and ETS anastomotic regions are studied, and compared to those of the conventional distal anastomosis, by means of computational fluid dynamics simulation of pulsatile Newtonian blood flow. Simulation results demonstrate that the new sequential anastomoses model provides: (i) a more uniform and smooth flow at the ETS anastomosis, without any stagnation point on the artery bed and vortex formation in the heel region of the ETS anastomosis within the coronary artery; (ii) a spare route for the blood flow to the coronary artery, to avoid re-operation in case of re-stenosis in either of the anastomoses; and (iii) improved distribution of hemodynamic parameters at the coronary artery bed and in the heel region of the ETS anastomosis, with more moderate shear stress indices. These advantages of the new design over the conventional ETS anastomosis are influenced by the occlusion ratio of the native coronary artery, and are most prominent when the proximal segment of the coronary artery is fully occluded. By varying the design parameters of the anastomotic angle and distance between the two anastomoses, the superior coupled STS–ETS anastomoses design is found to have the anastomotic angle of 30° and 30 mm distance between the two (STS and ETS) components.     

Unsteady simulation of distal blood flow in an end-to-side anastomosed coronary bypass graft with stenosis

In this paper, we report on the unsteady state modeling of blood flow in an end-to-side anastomosed bypass graft, which has a stenosis upstream from the junction. In coronary artery bypass grafting/surgery (CABG), new arteries are created in order to provide blood to the heart using other blood vessels as conduits to bypass the blocked section in the patient's coronary arteries. The failure of coronary artery bypass procedures has been attributed to both intimal hyperplasia (IH) and atherosclerosis. It is believed that these two phenomena are, in turn, related to the local hemodynamic factors. In this work, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis is used to simulate the physiological blood flow through a model of a stenosed coronary bypass graft with the realistic assumption of non-Newtonian flow for human blood. For different flow repartitions and at different times of the cycle, both the recirculating areas and wall shear stress (WSS) are studied. Based on the different distribution of flow rates in the bypass graft and the host artery, the flow features are investigated and the influence of non-Newtonian behavior is discussed in terms of separation points, reattachment points, and the wall shear stresses. Various differences are observed based on the assumption of non-Newtonian behavior of blood, which have not been reported before when a simplified Newtonian approach is utilized.     

Computational Investigation of Hemodynamics in Fully Stenosed CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) is an important surgical treatment for critically stenosed arteries. Unfortunately restenosis always occurs after CABG surgery, which bring about surgery failure, lntimal thickening in the CABG distal anastomosis has been implicated as the major cause of restenosis and long-term graft failure. The nonuniform hemodynamics including disturbed flows, recirculation zones, oscillating wall shear stress, and long particle residence time were thought to be the possible etiologies. Numerical simulation was proved to be of great help and guidance meaning for the biofluid mechanics research and the CABG surgical plan. The present study was based on the hypothesis that the geometry configuration of CABG could greatly influence the hemodynamics in the vicinity of anastomosis. The hemodynamic features of two geometry models of end-to-side CABG were studied and compared. One simulated a conventional CABG with 1-way bypass graft, and the other simulated a modified CABG with symmetric 2-way bypass graft. The numerical investigations of hemodynamics in these two models with fully stenosed coronary arteries were accomplished using finite element method. The temporal and spatial distributions of hemodynamics were analyzed and compared. Results showed that the presence of symmetric 2-way bypass graft was of reasonable and favorable hemodynamics than 1-way bypass graft. The modified CABG model created a more hemodynamically efficient streamlined environment with higher mean and maximum axial velocities and lower radial velocities than the conventional 1-way model. Meanwhile, the symmetric 2-way bypass graft was featured with low pressure near the wall, high and uniform WSS in the host artery. All of these were favorable for inhibiting the development of intimal thickening, restenosis, and ultimate failure of the CABG, and it could considerably improve the flow conditions and decrease the probability of intimal hyperplasia and restenosis of CABG.     

Hemodynamic effects of the geometric dimensions of graft vessels in coronary artery bypass graft models.

The objectives of this investigation are to evaluate the rheologic properties in atherosclerotic disease treated with the various coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) models by numerical analysis, we used four different CABG models for the assessment of spatial fluctuation in wall shear stress, pressure variation and mass flow rate with Carreau model and Navier-Stokes equation. Wall shear stress was higher in a naturally tapered model (model 1) and a constant (non-tapered) diameter of the graft vessel the same as the distal LAD (model 4) than in others. Pressure variation along the native coronary artery and graft vessels was higher in a model 4, model 1 than in a reverse tapering model (model 2) and a constant diameter of the graft vessel the same as the proximal LAD (model 3). The mass flow rate of the distal part (kg/sec,.m(o)) was the highest in model 3. This study suggests that in vitro spatial simulation following CABG revealed that small caliber or tapered graft vessels have adverse hemodynamic effects on the native and graft vessels. By this technique it is possible to simulate the optimal distribution of local hemodynamic variables in patients treated with CABG, also to minimize the degeneration of graft vessel.     

Patient-Specific Multiscale Modeling of Blood Flow for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

We present a computational framework for multiscale modeling and simulation of blood flow in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. Using this framework, only CT and non-invasive clinical measurements are required without the need to assume pressure and/or flow waveforms in the coronaries and we can capture global circulatory dynamics. We demonstrate this methodology in a case study of a patient with multiple CABGs. A patient-specific model of the blood vessels is constructed from CT image data to include the aorta, aortic branch vessels (brachiocephalic artery and carotids), the coronary arteries and multiple bypass grafts. The rest of the circulatory system is modeled using a lumped parameter network (LPN) 0 dimensional (0D) system comprised of resistances, capacitors (compliance), inductors (inertance), elastance and diodes (valves) that are tuned to match patient-specific clinical data. A finite element solver is used to compute blood flow and pressure in the 3D (3 dimensional) model, and this solver is implicitly coupled to the 0D LPN code at all inlets and outlets. By systematically parameterizing the graft geometry, we evaluate the influence of graft shape on the local hemodynamics, and global circulatory dynamics. Virtual manipulation of graft geometry is automated using Bezier splines and control points along the pathlines. Using this framework, we quantify wall shear stress, wall shear stress gradients and oscillatory shear index for different surgical geometries. We also compare pressures, flow rates and ventricular pressure-volume loops pre- and post-bypass graft surgery. We observe that PV loops do not change significantly after CABG but that both coronary perfusion and local hemodynamic parameters near the anastomosis region change substantially. Implications for future patient-specific optimization of CABG are discussed.     

Intimal hyperplasia and hemodynamic factors in arterial bypass and arteriovenous grafts: a review

Stenosis at the graft–vein junction caused by intimal hyperplasia (IH) is the major cause of failure of vascular access grafts used for hemodialysis. There is a strong relationship between hemodynamic factors and formation of IH. The hemodynamic pattern and the location of IH are different in arterial bypass grafts (ABGs) compared with arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). In an ABG, end-to-side anastomosis of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft and artery produces hemodynamic changes around the junction. IH develops at the arterial floor and the toe and heel of the distal anastomosis. Low shear stress and oscillating shear forces at the arterial floor and the heel plus a high wall sheer stress (WSS) gradient at the toe probably promote IH development. Compliance mismatch between the graft and artery causes turbulence that may contribute to IH formation. The blood flow rate in AVGs is 5–10 times greater than that in ABGs. High flow causes turbulence that injures endothelial cells and eventually results in IH. The peak WSS in AVGs is about 6N/m², much higher than that in ABGs. Excessively high WSS may effect IH formation in AVGs. Several venous cuff or patch anastomotic designs have been used in attempts to regulate hemodynamic factors in grafts. In ABGs, these designs appear to help decrease IH formation. In AVGs, however, they generally have not improved patency rates. In a high-flow system such as an AVG, more drastic changes in anastomotic design may be required.     

Validation of numerical simulation with PIV measurements for two anastomosis models

Hemodynamics is widely believed to influence coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) stenosis. Although distal anastomosis has been extensively investigated, further studies on proximal anastomosis are still necessary, as the extent and initiation of the stenosis process may be influenced by the flow of the proximal anastomosis per se. Therefore, in this study, two models (i.e. 90 degrees and 135 degrees anastomotic models) were designed and constructed to simulate a proximal anastomosis of CABG for the left and right coronary arteries, respectively. Flow characteristics for these models were studied experimentally in order to validate the simulation results found earlier. PIV measurements were carried out on two Pyrex glass models, so that the disturbed flow (stagnation point, flow separation and vortex) found in both proximal anastomosis models using numerical simulation, could be verified. Consequently, a fair agreement between numerical and experimental data was observed in terms of flow characteristics, velocity profiles and wall shear stress (WSS) distributions under both steady and pulsatile flow conditions. The discrepancy was postulated to be due to the difference in detailed geometry of the physical and computational models, due to manufacturing limitations. It was not possible to reproduce the exact shape of the computational model when making the Pyrex glass model. The analysis of the hemodynamic parameters based on the numerical simulation study also suggested that the 135 degrees proximal anastomosis model would alleviate the potential of intimal thickening and/or atherosclerosis, more than that of a 90 degrees proximal anastomosis model, as it had a lower variation range of time-averaged WSS and the lower segmental average of WSSG.     

Numerical investigation and identification of susceptible sites of atherosclerotic lesion formation in a complete coronary artery bypass model

As hemodynamics is widely believed to correlate with anastomotic stenosis in coronary bypass surgery, this paper investigates the flow characteristics and distributions of the hemodynamic parameters (HPs) in a coronary bypass model (which includes both proximal and distal anastomoses), under physiological flow conditions. Disturbed flows (flow separation/reattachment, vortical and secondary flows) as well as regions of high oscillatory shear index (OSI) with low wall shear stress (WSS), i.e., high-OSI-and-low-WSS and low-OSI-and-high-WSS were found in the proximal and distal anastomoses, especially at the toe and heel regions of distal anastomosis, which indicate highly suspected sites for the onset of the atherosclerotic lesions. The flow patterns found in the graft and distal anastomoses of our model at deceleration phases are different from those of the isolated distal anastomosis model. In addition, a huge significant difference in segmental averages of HPs was found between the distal and proximal anastomoses. These findings further suggest that intimal hyperplasia would be more prone to form in the distal anastomosis than in the proximal anastomosis, particularly along the suture line at the toe and heel of distal anastomosis.     

缝合式和机械吻合式搭桥模型的血流动力学数值模拟

为了说明机械吻合器的引入对冠状动脉搭桥术近端吻合区血流动力学因素的影响,运用Solidworks软件构造了缝合式和机械吻合式两种搭桥模型。运用有限单元数值模拟的方法和Fluent6.3软件,对两种模型移植血管中脉动流进行数值化模拟和可视化分析。获得了吻合区在一个心动周期内不同时刻的速度场、二次流、压力及壁面切应力的分布情况。结果表明,机械吻合器的引入在增大移植血管中血流速度（大于缝合模型约0.2 m/s）的同时使得低速区范围增大,吻合区壁面切应力变化范围为0～50 Pa,应力集中现象明显,壁面切应力变化剧烈,易引起血小板活化和内膜增生。为了提高冠状动脉搭桥术的通畅率,对机械吻合器进行优化设计很有必要。     

A procedure to simulate coronary artery bypass graft surgery

In coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery the involved tissues are overstretched, which may lead to intimal hyperplasia and graft failure. We propose a computational methodology for the simulation of traditional CABG surgery, and analyze the effect of two clinically relevant parameters on the artery and graft responses, i.e., incision length and insertion angle for a given graft diameter. The computational structural analyses are based on actual three-dimensional vessel dimensions of a human coronary artery and a human saphenous vein. The analyses consider the structure of the end-to-side anastomosis, the residual stresses and the typical anisotropic and nonlinear vessel behaviors. The coronary artery is modeled as a three-layer thick-walled tube. The finite element method is employed to predict deformation and stress distribution at various stages of CABG surgery. Small variations of the arterial incision have relatively big effects on the size of the arterial opening, which depends solely on the residual stress state. The incision length has a critical influence on the graft shape and the stress in the graft wall. Stresses at the heel region are higher than those at the toe region. The changes in the mechanical environment are severe along all transitions between the venous tissue and the host artery. Particular stress concentrations occur at the incision ends. The proposed computational methodology may be useful in designing a coronary anastomotic device for reducing surgical trauma. It may improve the quantitative knowledge of vessel diseases and serve as a tool for virtual planning of vascular surgery.     

The mechanical behavior of vascular grafts: a review

The development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) near the anastomosis of a vascular graft to artery is directly related to changes in the wall shear rate distribution. Mismatch in compliance and diameter at the end-to-end anastomosis of a compliant artery and rigid graft cause shear rate disturbances that may induce intimal hyperplasia and ultimately graft failure. The principal strategy being developed to prevent IH is based on the design and fabrication of compliant synthetic or innovative tissue-engineered grafts with viscoelastic properties that mirror those of the human artery. The goal of this review is to discuss how mechanical properties including compliance mismatch, diameter mismatch, Young's modulus and impedance phase angle affect graft failure due to intimal hyperplasia.     

冠状动脉搭桥术中移植管-宿主动脉直径比和缝合角的优化与分析

目的探索怎样的移植管-宿主动脉直径比和缝合角可以最大限度地提高冠状动脉搭桥术的成功率。方法借助ANSYS9.0对冠状动脉搭桥术进行模拟仿真,用响应面方法建立数学模型,利用优化理论寻找最优的移植管-宿主动脉直径比和缝合角,使影响手术成功率的主要因素-壁面切应力梯度最小。结果结果表明冠状动脉搭桥术中,大移植管-宿主动脉直径比和小缝合角的模型具有更好的血流动力特性。结论影响冠状动脉搭桥术成功率的因素很多,在现有条件下借助临床经验指导,选择尽可能大的移植管-宿主动脉直径比和尽可能小的缝合角的做法是可取的。     

Compliant model of a coupled sequential coronary arterial bypass graft: effects of vessel wall elasticity and non-Newtonian rheology on blood flow regime and hemodynamic parameters distribution

We have recently developed a novel design for coronary arterial bypass surgical grafting, consisting of coupled sequential side-to-side and end-to-side anastomoses. This design has been shown to have beneficial blood flow patterns and wall shear stress distributions which may improve the patency of the CABG, as compared to the conventional end-to-side anastomosis. In our preliminary computational simulation of blood flow of this coupled sequential anastomoses design, the graft and the artery were adopted to be rigid vessels and the blood was assumed to be a Newtonian fluid. Therefore, the present study has been carried out in order to (i) investigate the effects of wall compliance and non-Newtonian rheology on the local flow field and hemodynamic parameters distribution, and (ii) verify the advantages of the CABG coupled sequential anastomoses design over the conventional end-to-side configuration in a more realistic bio-mechanical condition. For this purpose, a two-way fluid-structure interaction analysis has been carried out. A finite volume method is applied to solve the three-dimensional, time-dependent, laminar flow of the incompressible, non-Newtonian fluid; the vessel wall is modeled as a linearly elastic, geometrically non-linear shell structure. In an iteratively coupled approach the transient shell equations and the governing fluid equations are solved numerically. The simulation results indicate a diameter variation ratio of up to 4% and 5% in the graft and the coronary artery, respectively. The velocity patterns and qualitative distribution of wall shear stress parameters in the distensible model do not change significantly compared to the rigid-wall model, despite quite large side-wall deformations in the anastomotic regions. However, less flow separation and reversed flow is observed in the distensible models. The wall compliance reduces the time-averaged wall shear stress up to 32% (on the heel of the conventional end-to-side model) and somewhat increases the oscillatory nature of the flow. It is found that the effects of wall compliance and non-Newtonian rheology are not independent, and they interact with each other. In spite of the modest influence of wall compliance and non-Newtonian rheology on the hemodynamic parameters distribution, the inclusion of these properties has unveiled further advantages of the coupled sequential anastomoses model over the conventional end-to-side anastomosis which had not been revealed in the previous study with the rigid-wall and Newtonian fluid models. Hence, the inclusion of wall compliance and non-Newtonian rheology in flow simulation of blood vessels can be essential in quantitative and comparative investigations.     

Effect of a flow-streamlining implant at the distal anastomosis of a coronary artery bypass graft

Intimal thickening in the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) distal anastomosis has been implicated as the major cause of restenosis and long-term graft failure. Several studies point to the interplay between nonuniform hemodynamics including disturbed flows and recirculation zones, wall shear stress, and long particle residence time as possible etiologies. The hemodynamic features of two anatomic models of saphenous-vein CABGs were studied and compared. One simulated an anastomosis with both diameter and compliance mismatch and a curvature at the connection, analogous to the geometry observed in a conventional cardiothoracic procedure. The other, simulated an anastomosis with a flow stabilizing anastomotic implant connector which improves current cardiothoracic procedures by eliminating the distal vein bulging and curvature. Physiologic flow conditions were imposed on both models and qualitative analysis of the flow was performed with dye injection and a digital camera. Quantitative analysis was performed with laser Doppler velocimetry. Results showed that the presence of the bulge at the veno-arterial junction, contributed to the formation of accentuated secondary structures (helices), which progress into the flow divider and significantly affect radial velocity components at the host vessel up to four diameters downstream of the junction. The model with the implant, achieved more hemodynamically efficient conditions on the host vessel with higher mean and maximum axial velocities and lower radial velocities than the conventional model. The presence of the sinus may also affect the magnitude and shape of the shear stress at locations where intimal thickening occurs. Thus, the presence of the implant creates a more streamlined environment with more primary and less secondary flow components which may then inhibit the development of intimal thickening, restenosis, and ultimate failure of the saphenous vein graft. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2002: 8780Rb, 8719Rr, 8719Uv, 8763Lk, 8719Xx, 4262Be, 4780+v, 8710+e     

Numerical Simulation of Wall Shear Stress and Particle-Based Hemodynamic Parameters in Pre-Cuffed and Streamlined End-to-Side Anastomoses

A number of research studies have related multiple hemodynamic parameters to the formation of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (IH) at the sub-cellular, cellular, and tissue levels. Focusing on mitigating WSS-based parameters alone, several studies have suggested geometrically modified end-to-side anastomoses with the intent of improving synthetic graft patency rates. However, recent clinical trials of commercially available versions of these grafts indicate persistently high rates of failure. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that platelet-wall interactions may play a significant role in the formation of IH, which is not captured by WSS-based parameters alone. In this study, numerical simulations have been conducted to assess the potential for IH formation in conventional and geometrically modified anastomoses based on both wall shear stress (WSS) conditions and platelet-wall interactions. Sites of significant particle-wall interactions, including elevated concentrations and stasis, were identified by a near-wall residence time model, which includes factors for platelet activation and surface reactivity. Conventional, pre-cuffed, and streamlined distal end-to-side anastomoses were considered with proximal and distal arterial outflow. It was found that a pre-cuffed anastomosis, similar to the Distaflo configuration, does not offer a hemodynamic advantage over the conventional design considered with respect to the magnitude of the WSS field and the potential for platelet interactions with the vessel surface. Streamlined configurations largely consistent with venous confluences resulted in an advantageous reduction of wall shear stress gradient values; however, particle-wall interactions remained significant throughout the anastomosis. Results of this study are not intended to be directly extrapolated to surgical recommendations. However, these results highlight the difficulty associated with designing an end-to-side distal anastomosis with two-way outflow that is capable of simultaneously reducing multiple hemodynamic parameters. Further testing will be necessary to determine if the observed elevated particle-wall interactions in a pre-cuffed anastomosis provide the stimulus responsible for the reported high failure rates of these grafts.     

管径比对全阻塞动脉旁路移植流场影响的数值研究

目的 研究管径比对全阻塞动脉旁路移植流场的影响,为指导动脉旁路移植手术,减少术后再狭窄提供理论依据。方法 采用数值方法研究5种不同移植管与主血管的管径比对全阻塞情况下动脉旁路移植流场的影响,分析速度、二次流、壁面切应力和壁面切应力梯度等血流动力学参数的分布及其随管径比增大的改变。同时,为表明本文所采用模型的合理性,针对目前常使用的两类模型,比较在管径比1.0情况下全阻塞完整模型（Model A）、全阻塞局部模型（Model B）和75％狭窄完整模型（Model C）之间的血流动力学差异。结果 Model A和Model C的血流动力学特性是完全不同的;移植管顶部截面内的速度分布对下游吻合处的主血管底部壁面切应力的影响是显著的,最大相差达79％。大管径比时,主血管底部的壁面低切应力区较大,但壁面切应力分布均匀,壁面切应力梯度较小。而小管径比时,主血管底部的壁面低切应力区较小,但壁面切应力梯度较大。结论 采用整体模型单独研究全阻塞情况下的管径比对流场的影响是有必要的。管径比对全阻塞动脉旁路移植的流场具有显著影响,采用大管径比进行动脉旁路移植将有助于缓解吻合口处由于再狭窄而产生的阻塞。     

Effect of the degree of LAD stenosis on “competitive flow” and flow field characteristics in LIMA-to-LAD bypass surgery

The long-term patency of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in left anterior descending (LAD) coronary stenosis bypass surgery is believed to be related to the degree of competitive flow between the LAD and LIMA. To investigate the effect of the LAD stenosis severity on this phenomenon and on haemodynamics in the LIMA and anastomosis region, a numerical LIMA-LAD model was developed based on 3D geometric (obtained from a cast) and hemodynamic data from an experimental pig study. Proximal LAD pressure was used as upstream boundary condition. The model counted 13 outlets (12 septal arteries and the distal LAD) where flow velocities were imposed in systole, while myocardial conductance was imposed in diastole via an implicit scheme. LAD stenoses of 100 (total occlusion), 90, 75 and 0 % area reduction were constructed. Low degree of LAD stenosis was associated with highly competitive flow and low wall shear stress (WSS) in the LIMA, an unfavourable hemodynamic regime which might contribute to WSS-related remodelling of the LIMA and suboptimal long-term LIMA bypass performance.     

In vitro measurements of velocity and wall shear stress in a novel sequential anastomotic graft design model under pulsatile flow conditions

This study documents the superior hemodynamics of a novel coupled sequential anastomoses (SQA) graft design in comparison with the routine conventional end-to-side (ETS) anastomoses in coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). The flow fields inside three polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) models of coronary artery bypass grafts, including the coupled SQA graft design, a conventional ETS anastomosis, and a parallel side-to-side (STS) anastomosis, are investigated under pulsatile flow conditions using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The velocity field and distributions of wall shear stress (WSS) in the models are studied and compared with each other. The measurement results and WSS distributions, computed from the near wall velocity gradients reveal that the novel coupled SQA design provides: (i) a uniform and smooth flow at its ETS anastomosis, without any stagnation point on the artery bed and vortex formation in the heel region of the ETS anastomosis within the coronary artery; (ii) more favorable WSS distribution; and (iii) a spare route for the blood flow to the coronary artery, to avoid re-operation in case of re-stenosis in either of the anastomoses. This in vitro investigation complements the previous computational studies of blood flow in this coupled SQA design, and is another necessary step taken toward the clinical application of this novel design. At this point and prior to the clinical adoption of this novel design, in vivo animal trials are warranted, in order to investigate the biological effects and overall performance of this anastomotic configuration in vivo.