In vitro study on the steady flow characteristics of proximal anastomotic models

A two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) system is used to study the effects of grafting angle, graft Reynolds number and graft resistance on the steady flow characteristics of proximal anastomosis. Low-velocity regions are found at the heel and toe, whose size depends on the Reynolds number, anastomosis angle and resistance of the graft. Stagnation point is found along the graft outer wall. The spatial gradients of wall shear stress are high around the anastomosis joint. Based on the experimental results, the method of improving the graft patency rate is proposed. The experimental results are in reasonably good agreement with those of previous numerical simulation.