Numerical Investigation of Left Ventricular Assist Device Inflow Cannulas: The Impact of Anatomical Variability on Thrombosis Risk

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While left ventricular assist devices provide lifesaving support for patients awaiting or ineligible for transplantation, their use is complicated by a persistent risk of thrombosis, strongly influenced by patient-specific anatomy. This thesis develops a framework combining statistical shape modelling and computational fluid dynamics to analyse how anatomical variation affects intraventricular flow patterns and thrombosis risk. Applied to patients implanted with different device types, the framework reveals key shape features linked to adverse haemodynamics, offering valuable insights for optimising device design, refining surgical strategies, and enabling personalised treatment planning.