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Zhang D, Lindsey SE. Recasting Current Knowledge of Human Fetal Circulation: The Importance of Computational Models. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:240. [PMID: 37367405 PMCID: PMC10299027 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10060240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Computational hemodynamic simulations are becoming increasingly important for cardiovascular research and clinical practice, yet incorporating numerical simulations of human fetal circulation is relatively underutilized and underdeveloped. The fetus possesses unique vascular shunts to appropriately distribute oxygen and nutrients acquired from the placenta, adding complexity and adaptability to blood flow patterns within the fetal vascular network. Perturbations to fetal circulation compromise fetal growth and trigger the abnormal cardiovascular remodeling that underlies congenital heart defects. Computational modeling can be used to elucidate complex blood flow patterns in the fetal circulatory system for normal versus abnormal development. We present an overview of fetal cardiovascular physiology and its evolution from being investigated with invasive experiments and primitive imaging techniques to advanced imaging (4D MRI and ultrasound) and computational modeling. We introduce the theoretical backgrounds of both lumped-parameter networks and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations of the cardiovascular system. We subsequently summarize existing modeling studies of human fetal circulation along with their limitations and challenges. Finally, we highlight opportunities for improved fetal circulation models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie E. Lindsey
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
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Canè F, Delcour L, Luigi Redaelli AC, Segers P, Degroote J. A CFD study on the interplay of torsion and vortex guidance by the mitral valve on the left ventricular wash-out making use of overset meshes (Chimera technique). FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:1018058. [PMID: 36619345 PMCID: PMC9814007 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.1018058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease often occurs with silent and gradual alterations of cardiac blood flow that can lead to the onset of chronic pathological conditions. Image-based patient-specific Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models allow for an extensive quantification of the flow field beyond the direct capabilities of medical imaging techniques that could support the clinicians in the early diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment planning of patients. Nonetheless, the large and impulsive kinematics of the left ventricle (LV) and the mitral valve (MV) pose relevant modeling challenges. Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods struggle with the complex 3D mesh handling of rapidly moving valve leaflets within the left ventricle (LV). We, therefore, developed a Chimera-based (overset meshing) method to build a patient-specific 3D CFD model of the beating LV which includes a patient-inspired kinematic model of the mitral valve (LVMV). Simulations were performed with and without torsion. In addition, to evaluate how the intracardiac LV flow is impacted by the MV leaflet kinematics, a third version of the model without the MV was generated (LV with torsion). For all model versions, six cardiac cycles were simulated. All simulations demonstrated cycle-to-cycle variations that persisted after six cycles but were albeit marginal in terms of the magnitude of standard deviation of velocity and vorticity which may be related to the dissipative nature of the numerical scheme used. The MV was found to have a crucial role in the development of the intraventricular flow by enhancing the direct flow, the apical washout, and the propagation of the inlet jet towards the apical region. Consequently, the MV is an essential feature in the patient-specific CFD modeling of the LV. The impact of torsion was marginal on velocity, vorticity, wall shear stress, and energy loss, whereas it resulted to be significant in the evaluation of particle residence times. Therefore, including torsion could be considered in patient-specific CFD models of the LV, particularly when aiming to study stasis and residence time. We conclude that, despite some technical limitations encountered, the Chimera technique is a promising alternative for ALE methods for 3D CFD models of the heart that include the motion of valve leaflets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Canè
- IBiTech – bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,Correspondence: Federico Canè
| | - Lucas Delcour
- Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Segers
- IBiTech – bioMMeda, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joris Degroote
- Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Vellguth K, Barbieri F, Reinthaler M, Kasner M, Landmesser U, Kuehne T, Hennemuth A, Walczak L, Goubergrits L. Effect of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair device position on diastolic hemodynamic parameters: An echocardiography-based simulation study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:915074. [PMID: 36093164 PMCID: PMC9449143 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.915074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTranscatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has developed from innovative technology to an established treatment strategy of mitral regurgitation (MR). The risk of iatrogenic mitral stenosis after TEER is, however, a critical factor in the conflict of interest between maximal reduction of MR and minimal impairment of left ventricular filling. We aim to investigate systematically the impact of device position on the post treatment hemodynamic outcome by involving the patient-specific segmentation of the diseased mitral valve.Materials and methodsTransesophageal echocardiographic image data of ten patients with severe MR (age: 57 ± 8 years, 20% female) were segmented and virtually treated with TEER at three positions by using a position based dynamics approach. Pre- and post-interventional patient geometries were preprocessed for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and simulated at peak-diastole with patient-specific blood flow boundary conditions. Simulations were performed with boundary conditions mimicking rest and stress. The simulation results were compared with clinical data acquired for a cohort of 21 symptomatic MR patients (age: 79 ± 6 years, 43% female) treated with TEER.ResultsVirtual TEER reduces the mitral valve area (MVA) from 7.5 ± 1.6 to 2.6 ± 0.6 cm2. Central device positioning resulted in a 14% smaller MVA than eccentric device positions. Furthermore, residual MVA is better predictable for central than for eccentric device positions (R2 = 0.81 vs. R2 = 0.49). The MVA reduction led to significantly higher maximal diastolic velocities (pre: 0.9 ± 0.2 m/s, post: 2.0 ± 0.5 m/s) and pressure gradients (pre: 1.5 ± 0.6 mmHg, post: 16.3 ± 9 mmHg) in spite of a mean flow rate reduction by 23% due to reduced MR after the treatment. On average, velocities were 12% and pressure gradients were 25% higher with devices in central compared to lateral or medial positions.ConclusionVirtual TEER treatment combined with CFD is a promising tool for predicting individual morphometric and hemodynamic outcomes. Such a tool can potentially be used to support clinical decision making, procedure planning, and risk estimation to prevent post-procedural iatrogenic mitral stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Vellguth
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Katharina Vellguth
| | - Fabian Barbieri
- Department of Cardiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Reinthaler
- Department of Cardiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Active Polymers and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Teltow, Germany
| | - Mario Kasner
- Department of Cardiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Titus Kuehne
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité—Medical Heart Center of Charité and German Heart Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Hennemuth
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lars Walczak
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Leonid Goubergrits
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center Digital Future, Berlin, Germany
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Goubergrits L, Vellguth K, Obermeier L, Schlief A, Tautz L, Bruening J, Lamecker H, Szengel A, Nemchyna O, Knosalla C, Kuehne T, Solowjowa N. CT-Based Analysis of Left Ventricular Hemodynamics Using Statistical Shape Modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:901902. [PMID: 35865389 PMCID: PMC9294248 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.901902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) allows to assess intracardiac flow features, which are hypothesized as an early predictor for heart diseases and may support treatment decisions. However, the understanding of intracardiac flow is challenging due to high variability in heart shapes and contractility. Using statistical shape modeling (SSM) in combination with CFD facilitates an intracardiac flow analysis. The aim of this study is to prove the usability of a new approach to describe various cohorts. Materials and Methods CCT data of 125 patients (mean age: 60.6 ± 10.0 years, 16.8% woman) were used to generate SSMs representing aneurysmatic and non-aneurysmatic left ventricles (LVs). Using SSMs, seven group-averaged LV shapes and contraction fields were generated: four representing patients with and without aneurysms and with mild or severe mitral regurgitation (MR), and three distinguishing aneurysmatic patients with true, intermediate aneurysms, and globally hypokinetic LVs. End-diastolic LV volumes of the groups varied between 258 and 347 ml, whereas ejection fractions varied between 21 and 26%. MR degrees varied from 1.0 to 2.5. Prescribed motion CFD was used to simulate intracardiac flow, which was analyzed regarding large-scale flow features, kinetic energy, washout, and pressure gradients. Results SSMs of aneurysmatic and non-aneurysmatic LVs were generated. Differences in shapes and contractility were found in the first three shape modes. Ninety percent of the cumulative shape variance is described with approximately 30 modes. A comparison of hemodynamics between all groups found shape-, contractility- and MR-dependent differences. Disturbed blood washout in the apex region was found in the aneurysmatic cases. With increasing MR, the diastolic jet becomes less coherent, whereas energy dissipation increases by decreasing kinetic energy. The poorest blood washout was found for the globally hypokinetic group, whereas the weakest blood washout in the apex region was found for the true aneurysm group. Conclusion The proposed CCT-based analysis of hemodynamics combining CFD with SSM seems promising to facilitate the analysis of intracardiac flow, thus increasing the value of CCT for diagnostic and treatment decisions. With further enhancement of the computational approach, the methodology has the potential to be embedded in clinical routine workflows and support clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Goubergrits
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center Digital Future, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Vellguth
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Obermeier
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adriano Schlief
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Tautz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jan Bruening
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Olena Nemchyna
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Knosalla
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Titus Kuehne
- Institute of Computer-Assisted Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalia Solowjowa
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Natalia Solowjowa
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Zebhi B, Wiputra H, Howley L, Cuneo B, Park D, Hoffman H, Gilbert L, Yap CH, Bark D. Right ventricle in hypoplastic left heart syndrome exhibits altered hemodynamics in the human fetus. J Biomech 2020; 112:110035. [PMID: 32971490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) represents approximately 9% of all congenital heart defects and is one of the most complex, with the left side of the heart being generally underdeveloped. Numerous studies demonstrate that intracardiac fluid flow patterns in the embryonic and fetal circulation can impact cardiac structural formation and remodeling. This highlights the importance of quantifying the altered hemodynamic environment in congenital heart defects, like HLHS, relative to a normal heart as it relates to cardiac development. Therefore, to study human cardiovascular fetal flow, computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed using 4D patient-specific ultrasound scans in normal and HLHS hearts. In these simulations, we find that the HLHS right ventricle exhibits a greater cardiac output than normal; yet, hemodynamics are relatively similar between normal and HLHS right ventricles. Overall, this study provides detailed quantitative flow patterns for HLHS, which has the potential to guide future prevention and therapeutic interventions, while more immediately providing additional functional detail to cardiologists to aid in decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banafsheh Zebhi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Hadi Wiputra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lisa Howley
- The Children's Heart Clinic at the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bettina Cuneo
- The Colorado Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dawn Park
- The Colorado Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Hilary Hoffman
- The Colorado Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lisa Gilbert
- The Colorado Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Choon Hwai Yap
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, UK
| | - David Bark
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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