Parallel Adaptive Computation of Blood Flow in a 3D “Whole” Body Model

Due to the systemic nature of the response of the human body to vascular trauma, accurate simulation may require the consideration of larger portions of the vasculature than have previously been modeled. A patient-specific 3D model, composed of 78 arteries extending from the neck to the toes, was constructed to meaningfully represent many of the major arteries in the systemic circulation. Recently developed boundary conditions are applied at the 78 outlets to realistically represent the remaining vasculature not resolved by the 3D domain. The pulsatile blood flow simulation is started on an initial boundary layer mesh with a few million elements which is then adapted to a higher resolution by applying solution-based adaptivity. The effects of the mesh resolution on flow features are studied. Pressure, velocity and wall shear stress results will be presented.