Abstract:
Computational hemodynamic simulations are becoming increasingly important for cardiovascular research and clinical practice, yet incorporating numerical simulations of human fetal circulation is relatively underutilized and underdeveloped. The fetus possesses unique vascular shunts to appropriately distribute oxygen and nutrients acquired from the placenta, adding complexity and adaptability to blood flow patterns within the fetal vascular network. Perturbations to fetal circulation compromise fetal growth and trigger the abnormal cardiovascular remodeling that underlies congenital heart defects. Computational modeling can be used to elucidate complex blood flow patterns in the fetal circulatory system for normal versus abnormal development. We present an overview of fetal cardiovascular physiology and its evolution from being investigated with invasive experiments and primitive imaging techniques to advanced imaging (4D MRI and ultrasound) and computational modeling. We introduce the theoretical backgrounds of both lumped-parameter networks and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations of the cardiovascular system. We subsequently summarize existing modeling studies of human fetal circulation along with their limitations and challenges. Finally, we highlight opportunities for improved fetal circulation models.
摘要:
计算血液动力学模拟在心血管研究和临床实践中变得越来越重要。然而,纳入人类胎儿循环的数值模拟相对未得到充分利用和不发达。胎儿具有独特的血管分流器,以适当地分配从胎盘获得的氧气和营养,增加了胎儿血管网内血流模式的复杂性和适应性。对胎儿循环的干扰会损害胎儿的生长,并引发导致先天性心脏缺陷的异常心血管重塑。计算模型可用于阐明胎儿循环系统中正常发育与异常发育的复杂血流模式。我们概述了胎儿心血管生理学及其从侵入性实验和原始成像技术到高级成像(4DMRI和超声)和计算建模的演变。我们介绍了集总参数网络和心血管系统三维计算流体动力学模拟的理论背景。随后,我们总结了现有的人类胎儿循环建模研究及其局限性和挑战。最后,我们强调改善胎儿循环模型的机会.