We investigated variations in haemodynamics in response to simulated microgravity across a semi-subject-specific three-dimensional (3D) continuous arterial network connecting the heart to the eye using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Using this model we simulated pulsatile blood flow in an upright Earth gravity case and a simulated microgravity case. Under simulated microgravity, regional time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) increased and oscillatory shear index (OSI) decreased in upper body arteries, whilst the opposite was observed in the lower body. Between cases, uniform changes in TAWSS and OSI were found in the retina across diameters. This work demonstrates that 3D CFD simulations can be performed across continuously connected networks of small and large arteries. Simulated results exhibited similarities to low dimensional spaceflight simulations and measured data—specifically that blood flow and shear stress decrease towards the lower limbs and increase towards the cerebrovasculature and eyes in response to simulated microgravity, relative to an upright position in Earth gravity.

我们使用计算流体动力学 (CFD) 模拟研究了连接心脏和眼睛的半受试者特定三维 (3D) 连续动脉网络中响应模拟微重力的血流动力学变化。使用该模型，我们模拟了直立地球重力情况和模拟微重力情况下的脉动血流。在模拟微重力下，上半身动脉的区域时间平均壁剪切应力（TAWSS）增加，振荡剪切指数（OSI）减少，而下半身则相反。在不同病例之间，视网膜直径上的 TAWSS 和 OSI 发生了一致的变化。这项工作表明，3D CFD 模拟可以在连续连接的小型和大型动脉网络上执行。模拟结果与低维太空飞行模拟和测量数据有相似之处，具体来说，相对于地球重力中的直立位置，响应模拟微重力，血流和剪切应力朝向下肢减少，朝向脑血管和眼睛增加。