Numerical Investigation of Blood Flow Characteristics through Cannulated Aorta

Cannulation of the aorta is done in order to provide oxygenation and circulatory function through the use of the heart lung machine during cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB). The nature of the blood flow through the aorta and its ramifications during CPB is mostly linear as compared to the physiological flow, which is pulsatile in nature. This leads to the development of multiple morbidities caused by the development of emboli and atheromas. Perioperative postoperative care is necessitated by these conditions. As such the understanding of the blood flow characteristics is necessitated in order to effectively prevent the formation of emboli and to prevent the "Sandblasting" effect. The authors in this work seek to investigate the nature of blood flow through the aorta under such circumstances. The results obtained show the nature of blood flow in the cannulated aorta as well as the optimum angle of placement of the cannula with respect to the aortic wall.