Journal of biomechanical engineering
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The objective of this study is to quantify the detailed three-dimensional (3D) pulsatile hemodynamics, mechanical loading, and perfusion characteristics of a patient-specific neonatal aortic arch during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The 3D cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction of a pediatric patient with a normal aortic arch is modified based on clinical literature to represent the neonatal morphology and flow conditions. The anatomical dimensions are verified from several literature sources. ⋯ These drastic hemodynamic differences and associated intense biophysical loading of the pathological CPB configuration necessitate urgent bioengineering improvements--in hardware design, perfusion flow waveform, and configuration. This study serves to document the baseline condition, while the methodology presented can be utilized in preliminary CPB cannula design and in optimization studies reducing animal experiments. Coupled to a lumped-parameter model the 3D hemodynamic characteristics will aid the surgical decision making process of the perfusion strategies in complex congenital heart surgeries.