Computational analysis and experimental validation of dialysis flow rate in central venous catheters

Despite a large number of studies on the favorable correlation between the higher dialysis dose and clinical efficiency of hemodialysis treatment, the effect of the dialysis flow rate inside the catheter has been little investigated from the perspective of hemodynamic modifications in the central venous access for hemodialysis. This study proposes the computational analysis and an in vitro experimental validation of this model to assess hemodynamic behavior and the thrombogenic potential in central venous access for hemodialysis, using different flow rates in the central venous catheter (200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 mL/min). A mathematical model based on the Eulerian formulation was implemented in the solver subroutine to calculate the linear platelet lysis index (PLIL). The pressure drop obtained from the computational and experimental models was compared to validate the computational model. The maximum percentage difference between these models was less than 13%. The flow rate of 250, 300 and 350 mL/min resulted in larger recirculation zones in the flow field. It was concluded that, in general, shear stress and turbulence intensity increased quadratically with dialysis dose. The platelet lysis index increased with the dialysis flow rate and showed higher values at times associated with larger recirculation zones.