The effect of anastomotic angle and diameter ratio on flow field in the distal end-to-side anastomosis.

Abstract

Flow fields in the distal end-to-side anastomosis of coronary artery bypass graft are associated with intimal hyperplasia and bypass failure. This work aims to demonstrate the effect of anastomotic angle and diameter ratio on flow field of coronary artery bypass graft. The flow fields inside polydimethylsiloxane models of coronary artery bypass graft with various anastomotic angles (α = 30°, 45°, 60° and 75°) and different diameter ratios (Φ = 0.78 and 1.11) are investigated using particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics method under pulsatile flow condition. The results show that the anastomotic angle is positively correlated with the number and area of the recirculation zone, and the flow field disturbance at the anastomosis will develop in the same direction. Compared with that of Φ = 0.78, when Φ = 1.11, the flow fields at the anastomosis are relatively smoother with less turbulence.