Numerical Simulation of the Cavopulmonary Connection Flow with Conduit Stenoses of Varying Configurations

Most babies are born healthy, with a properly functioning heart. Unfortunately, some are born with a condition where the left side of the heart is smaller. So, the heart can’t pump blood properly. If not dealt with immediately, this condition leads to complications that endanger the life of the child.

Surgically, these children undergo a procedure where the artificial tube is put into the body. Even with the procedure, only 6 out of 10 children survive past 10 years due to post-operative complications. One such issue is the narrowing of the tube due to the growth of internal deposits over time, creating a blockage. My research is focused on investigating the effect of these deposits on the underlying blood circulation. By building a representative numerical model of the problem, I can gain a detailed insight into the issue and potentially guide doctors in avoiding or managing the complication and, hopefully, increase the life expectancy of these little patients.