Effect of the degree of LAD stenosis on "competitive flow" and flow field characteristics in LIMA-to-LAD bypass surgery.

The long-term patency of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in left anterior descending (LAD) coronary stenosis bypass surgery is believed to be related to the degree of competitive flow between the LAD and LIMA. To investigate the effect of the LAD stenosis severity on this phenomenon and on haemodynamics in the LIMA and anastomosis region, a numerical LIMA-LAD model was developed based on 3D geometric (obtained from a cast) and hemodynamic data from an experimental pig study. Proximal LAD pressure was used as upstream boundary condition.