# Pediatric Cardiovascular Multiscale Modeling using a Functional Mock-up Interface

## TL;DR

This paper shows how the Functional Mock-up Interface can effectively link different cardiovascular models to simulate pediatric heart systems.

## Contribution

The paper demonstrates the use of FMI for coupling multiscale cardiovascular models in a pediatric context.

## Key findings

- FMI enabled successful communication between a CFD and LPM subsystem in a univentricular circulation model.
- Predicted pressures and flows matched clinical data and a prior computational model.
- FMI integration with ANSYS CFX proved effective for multiscale cardiovascular modeling.

## Abstract

Computational models of the cardiovascular system continue to increase in complexity. As more elements of the physiology are captured in multiscale models, there is a need to efficiently integrate subsystems. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a coupling methodology, called functional mock-up interface (FMI), as applied to multiscale cardiovascular modeling.

The multiscale model is composed of two subsystems: a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled to a lumped parameter model (LPM). The LPM is packaged using the FMI standard and imported into the CFD subsystem using an FMI co-simulation architecture. The functionality of an FMI coupling was demonstrated in a univentricular parallel circulation by means of compatible tools, including ANSYS CFX and Python. Predicted pressures and flows were evaluated in comparison with clinical data and a previously developed computational model.

The two models exchanged pressure and flow data between their boundaries at each timestep, demonstrating sufficient inter-subsystem communication. The models recreated pressures and flows from clinical measurements and a patient-specific model previously published.

FMI integrated with ANSYS CFX is an effective approach for interfacing cardiovascular multiscale models as demonstrated by the presented univentricular circulatory model. FMI offers a modular approach towards tool integration and is an advantageous strategy for modeling complex systems.