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Venous hemodynamics are strongly influenced by small perturbations in anatomy and physiological state. Unlike arterial flow, which is primarily driven by the heart, venous blood flow is affected by several mechanisms. Respiration causes changes in abdominal pressure, which alter the cross-sectional area of abdominal veins, leading to characteristic flow patterns. In addition, contraction of the calf muscles pushes blood towards increasing venous return. The low pressures in the venous system make venous hemodynamics sensitive to gravity. Therefore, venous valves are essential for preventing retrograde flow. These interacting factors make venous hemodynamics complex and difficult to measure and interpret.

This complex interplay is especially relevant in the diagnosis of deep venous diseases such as May-Thurner syndrome and Nutcracker syndrome, where a vein is compressed by surrounding anatomical structures. Diagnosis remains challenging because anatomical compression is common in asymptomatic individuals. For example, an iliac stenosis of over 25% is present in about 66% of the population, yet most individuals remain symptom-free. Furthermore, symptoms are often non-specific, and only 63% of patients experience symptom relief after stent placement for May-Thurner syndrome.

Therefore, a better understanding of venous hemodynamics in both health and disease is needed to support treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes. This project addresses this challenge through the development of a combined 1D–0D computational model and a mock circulatory loop.

Dr.ir. Marcel Rutten

eMTIC: TKI-HTSM MIRACLE