Investigation of helical strut attached vena cava filter hemodynamic performanc

Abstract

Hemodynamic performance of the Celect Platinum vena cava filter and the revised forms of it with helical flow inducer strut were studied with computational fluid dynamic software Ansys Fluent 18. The central velocity and shear stress increased but overall flow disturbance has been observed minimal level. Central velocity increases to 9.72% with Celect filter, by the single helical flow inducer strut the rate reaches to 14.69%, and with doubled form it reaches to 19.73%. The filter surface shear rate increases to 8.29% with the single helical flow inducer strut and increases 13.31% with doubled attachment. Increased velocity and shear stress on the filter may eliminate short term thrombus build-up problems by breaking the big size particulates with the high shearing forces. The new struts may also contribute to the ability of the filter to capture smaller clots, as well as to dissolve them from being bigger. Shear stress in the vein wall increases approximately 6.63% with the filter placement. It raises to 8.06% and 9.45% with single and double helical flow inducer strut attachment. Increased vein wall shear may reduce the recirculation and clotting in the vein wall and it may prevent the accumulation of clots. The increased shear stress on the filter may cause the migration problem, design improvements can minimize this risk. Helical flow inducer strut attachment can cause efficacy increase, and the flow are normalized.