Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow Through Heart Valves

Abstract

High shear stress in blood flow can cause red cell and platelets damage, hemolysis or thrombus formation. Although vortex shedding has a secondary effect compared to the unsteady effect of pulsatile flow, it can generate free emboli. The objectives of the present effort are numerical investigation of vortex shedding behind a two-dimensional tilting-disk mechanical heart valve using first and several higher-order finite volume schemes as well as examination of non-Newtonian viscosity effect on shedding frequency and amplitude.