Abstract

Despite improved life expectancy compared to medical management alone, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) recipients show survival rates of 80% at 12 months and 70% at 24 months. A large portion of VAD-associated mortality results from increased risk of stroke with an event frequency reported between 14-47%. Recent concerns have been raised about unprecedented increases of thrombus formation in VAD recipients with subsequent reports pointing towards implantation techniques as a critical contributor to these events. Thus, the overall prognosis with mechanical support can improve by advancing the surgeon’s approach to VAD implantation. Previous studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were aimed at reducing stroke rates by tailoring the VAD outflow graft (VAD-OG) angle to direct any circulating emboli away from the cerebral vessels. In-vitro, or benchtop, models are often developed as computational counterparts. In order to accurately model the hemodynamics in the cardiovascular system, pulsatile flow must be mimicked. This is achieved in the computational domain by what is called a Windkessel model. This project seeks to develop a physical analogy to the Windkessel model for use in the benchtop experiments.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2015

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Kassab, Alain

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Mechanical Engineering

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering and Computer Science; Engineering and Computer Science -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

PDF

Identifier

CFH0004894

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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