Research Areas

Here, we focus on developing accurate patient-specific computational models for a variety of cardiovascular diseases including aortic valve disease, atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm. These simulations enable investigating the influence of hemodynamics on disease progression by identifying disturbed flow patterns and stress levels. Simulations also enable precise determination of clinical parameters critical for therapy planning in a non-invasive manner. Patient-specific model geometries are generated using echocardiography, CT or MRI images whereas doppler blood velocity measurements are used as velocity boundary conditions in  fluid-structure interaction models. In parallel, we investigate endothelial cell behavior under clinically relevant physiological flows using perfusion and bioreactors flow systems. Experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) flow measurement systems are also incorporated for in depth flow analysis. The long term goal here is to establish a patient-specific computational modeling strategy for accurate assessment and diagnosis of valvular and vascular heart disease