Scientific Presentations: Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics

Arteriosclerosis and heart disease represent the major cause of death in the western world. The role of fluid dynamics and mass transport processes derives from the fact that the onset and development of arteriosclerosis that is mainly observed in the proximity of curved and branching arteries is associated with the irregularities of the local hemodynamic pattern. Fluid dynamics has contributed significantly in the recent past years and most diagnoses are now made using a combination of ultrasonic imaging and Doppler measurements of flow velocity, however its role is still destined to grow with the growing capabilities of numerical and diagnostic tools. Beyond complex and accurate flow field analysis numerical simulations are helpful in several ways, e.g., to clearify macromolecule transport and biochemical modifacations produced by alterations in the flow field and in vascular fluid-structure interaction studies, where strong interaction between fluid dynamics, structural mechanics with large deformations and displacements occur.