Steady flow velocity measurements in a pulmonary artery model with varying degrees of pulmonic stenosis

Velocity and flow visualization studies were conducted in an adult size pulmonary artery model with varying degrees of valvular stenosis, using a two dimensional laser Doppler anemometer system. Velocity measurements in the main, left and right branches of the pulmonary artery revealed that as the degree of pulmonic stenosis increased, the jet type flow created by the valve hit the distal wall of the LPA farther downstream from the junction of the bifurcation. This in turn led to higher levels of turbulent and disturbed flow, and larger secondary flow motion in the LPA compared to the RPA. The high levels of turbulence measured in the main and left pulmonary arteries with the stenotic valves, could lead to the clinically observed phenomenon of post stenotic dilatation in the MPA extending into the LPA.