Structural Finite Element

Analysis of Coronary

Anomalies

Normal Aortic

Root

Aortic Root with

Coronary

Anomaly

• Coronary anomalies cause problems in young athletes during moments of rapidly

increased blood flow

• Hypothesis: Root expands due to blood flow from heart, and causes coronary looped

around root to decrease in diameter which restricts blood flow to back to the heart

• The full biomechanics of the phenomenon has not been explained, and this study is

expected to do so

Background

Objective

Use Abaqus to create a parametric 3 dimensional model of the Aortic Root

Use Finite Element Analysis to understand the effect that diastolic expansion of

the Aortic Root had in causing death in patients with coronary anomalies.

Sketch of Idealized Model

Parameters:

h1- 5 mm

α- 120⁰

h2- 10 mm β- 120⁰

h3- 16 mm θ- 120⁰

h4- 5 mm

R1- 11 mm

R2- 11 mm

r1 = r2 = r3 - 12 mm

L1 = L2 = L3 - 16 mm

R4- 11.5 mm

R5- 11.5 mm

TH-2.5 mm

Ventriculoaortic Junction

The connection between the left ventricle of the heart and the sinuses of the Aortic Root is the

Ventriculoaortic Junction.

Parameters involved in model:

• R5

• TH

Valsalva Sinuses

The Valsalva Sinuses are the defining feature of the Aortic Root. It is a set of three sinuses that

protrude from the general shape of the aorta and house the aortic leaflets. It is also where the

coronaries connect to the root.Parameters involved in model:

• r1, r2,r3

• L1, L2, L3

• TH

• α, β, θ

The Tubular Ascending Aorta

The Tubular Ascending Aorta is the final part of the model, and the farthest part of the model from the

junction of the Aortic Root to the heart.

Parameters involved in model:

• R1

• TH

Coronaries

The coronaries are connected to the root at the Valsalva Sinuses and supply blood back to the

heart for healthy heart function. The placement of the coronary that loops around the root is the

main feature of study in this model and analysis, as in a normal aortic root, one coronary would

connect to its own sinus rather than on the same one.

Possible Variations of the Model

Idealized

model

Variation 1:

Coronary connection to

Root is higher up the

root

Variation 2:

Coronary connection to root

is lower on the root

• Our model was an idealized parametric

model

• The model, in reality, could be made more

specific to individual patients depending

on the structure of their aortic root

10

Possible Variations of the Model (continued)

We can also have variations of the shape of the root.

Top view of idealized model

First example of

root variation

Second example of

root variation