Vascular flow modelling using computational fluid dynamics

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a technique to analyse fluid flow, heat transfer and associated phenomena, using computer-based simulation. CFD has recently shown great potential for calculation of haemodynamic parameters and correlation to various cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis and aneurysms. Consequently, the clinical community has taken an interest in different aspects of CFD simulations. The increasing power-to-cost ratio of computers and the advent of methods for subject-specific modelling of cardiovascular mechanics have further improved the application of CFD to biomedical problems. This chapter introduces the CFD technique and its applications to cardiovascular problems and describes the main merits and limitations of this tool. The main steps involved in a typical CFD process are then explained in detail and useful information is provided on some key CFD stages including pre-processing, meshing, solving and post-processing. Furthermore, three of the most common haemodynamic parameters including Wall Shear Stress, Oscillatory Shear Index and Relative Residence Time are introduced and relevant equations are explained.