Heart and vessels
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The human aorta is a curved conduit with a complex three-dimensional geometry. The curvature influences axial velocity distribution and introduces transverse velocity components. Rotational flow in the aorta can be demonstrated during normal pulsatile flow using transesophageal echocardiography. ⋯ The geometry of the aorta, which is fairly constant in all patients, imposes handedness to aortic flow before cardiopulmonary bypass. However, during cardiopulmonary bypass, other extrinsic factors such as aortic cannula orientation may influence the direction of rotation. The change in direction of rotational flow and increase in its transverse velocity component during cardiopulmonary bypass may have implications for atheroembolism and arterial branch perfusion during extended periods of non-pulsatile flow.