Multi-physical simulation of left-ventricular blood flow based on patient-specific MRI data

Statistically, heart disease has been the major cause of death in the recent past, which emphasizes the need for computational heart models. In this context, the so-called KaHMo (Karlsruhe Heart Model) is specialized on the innerventricular blood flow and its influence on the overall heart conditions. Both healthy and diseased hearts are simulated in order to analyze characteristic flow patterns and pressure losses. The patient-specific fluid domain movement is realized by time-dependent geometries out of MRI data. However, in order to capture flow changes due to structural variations, a multi-physical simulation approach is of utmost importance. Consequently, the model extension KaHMo FSI includes macroscopic structural properties using a hyperelastic finite element composite. The partitioned code coupling strategy allows the combination of separated software packages specialized for both the fluid and structural domain respectively. The interaction of blood flow and constitutive behavior influences the interface movement for both relaxation and contraction. In this context, the energetic equilibrium between the computational fluid and structural domain requires kinematic and dynamic coupling conditions to be satisfied continuously. The focus of this work is on the first application of patientspecific reference geometry for KaHMo FSI. The coupled flow simulation is compared to corresponding results from KaHMo’s standard fluid domain movement. In order to validate the flow simulation itself a further test-case model is evaluated and compared to experimental flow measurements. A detailed understanding of hydro-elastic blood/soft-tissue interaction is important for future therapy planning.