Flow Visualizations and Laser Doppler Velocity Measurements in a Fontan Connection

  • Kim, Young-H. (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Yoganathan, Ajit P. (Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology)
  • Published : 1994.05.13

Abstract

Three component velocity measurements with a refractive index-matching technique was used to investigate the flow characteristics in the atrio-pulmomnary (AP) Fontan connection under the steady flow condition. A strong swirl was observed in the extra-cardiac conduit and the main pulmonary artery (MPA). Maximum velocity magnitude in the MPA was about 0.8 m/s near the posterior wall at 6 liter/min. Swirling motion of the flow as well as geometric abnormalities of the connection are important factors in energy loss across Fontan connections.

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