Analysis of the transient, pulsatile fluid flow in a simplified anastomosis located between the human aorta and a centrifugal heart assist pump was carried out. Initial mathematical modeling investigated mesh density and discretization schemes necessary to achieve accurate computational evaluations. Further modeling efforts focused on the fluid flow in the anastomosis for junction angles of 60, 75, and 90 degrees at varying heart and pump flow rates. Results from this modeling indicated that higher junction angles produced larger areas of stagnation and shear gradients internal to the fluid, whereas lower junction angles yielded higher shear rates at the wall opposite to the junction.
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