Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to characterize vortical flow structures in the healthy human right atrium, their impact on wall shear stresses and possible implications for atrial thrombus formation. 3D Particle Tracking Velocimetry is applied to a novel anatomically accurate compliant silicone right heart model to study the phase averaged and fluctuating flow velocity within the right atrium, inferior vena cava and superior vena cava under physiological conditions. We identify the development of two vortex rings in the bulk of the right atrium during the atrial filling phase leading to a rinsing effect at the atrial wall which break down during ventricular filling. We show that the vortex ring formation affects the hemodynamics of the atrial flow by a strong correlation (ρ = 0.7) between the vortical structures and local wall shear stresses. Low wall shear stress regions are associated with absence of the coherent vortical structures which might be potential risk regions for atrial thrombus formation. We discuss possible implications for atrial thrombus formation in different regions of the right atrium.
Highlights
Vortex ring formation is a prominent characteristic of the cardiovascular system and may indicate overall cardiac health[4,5]
High velocity regions develop in the inferior vena cava (IVC), superior vena cava (SVC) and right ventricle (RV) outflow tract (RVOT) during the atrial filling phase (Fig. 1, top, left)
Both inflow streams from the IVC and SVC lead to a rotational flow in the right atrium (RA)
Summary
Vortex ring formation is a prominent characteristic of the cardiovascular system and may indicate overall cardiac health[4,5]. The right atrium redirects the blood flow and produces coherent rotational patterns during ventricular systole and diastole allowing blood to slingshot into the right ventricle (RV)[6,7]. Cardiac hemodynamics in newborn infants are different from those in adults involving a disruption of rotational flow patterns. This adaptation is physiological in newborn infants, disruption of rotational flow patterns may be an indicator of circulatory dysfunction in the adult heart[7]. Quantitatively characterize vortex formation, and to assess the temporal and spatial evolution of vortical structures and their association with wall shear stresses within the healthy human right atrium
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