International Symposium on Biofluid Mechanics and Biorheology

Abstract

The Second International Symposium on Biofluid Mechanics and Biorheology, a Satellite symposium of the 7. International Congress of Biorheology, Nancy, France, 18–23 June 1989, was held in Munich, F.R. Germany from 25–28 June 1989.

Eighty-seven abstracts were selected from nearly 140 submissions. Thirty-one abstracts dealing with clinical studies are published in this issue of CLINICAL HEMORHEOLOGY. Abstracts dealing with theoretical and experimental biofluid mechanics are published in BIORHEOLOGY, 27, Nr. 1, 1989.

The main goal of this International symposium was to bring together physicians, physicists, bioengineers, and technical specialists with expertise in clinical, experimental, rheological and numerical analysis of the complex problems of blood flow and cardiovascular disease.

There are many open questions in such areas as heart valve replacement, surgical bypass techniques, ultrasound studies in humans and animals, the reaction of pharmaceuticals, and the role of hemodynamic reaction on the endothelial cells. It is necessary for physicians to understand the flow behavior of blood and its interaction with the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, it is necessary for researchers to make this information available to physicians.

Experimental techniques such as ultrasound, laser-Doppler-anemometer, MRI, and flow visualization are dealt with. The approaches being taken in this area are important in defining accurately the parameters of blood flow and refining measuring technology.

The hemodynamic environment of the circulatory system-cell, cell-wall interactions, endothelial responses to shear stress and other parameters must also be defined and work in the field of hemorheology is represented by several research groups.

Finally, the Abstracts deal with contributions to the field of numerical study of blood flow parameters. without the limitations of physical models or the invasive study of a human subject, the contributions greatly advance knowledge of the cardiovascular system and its dynamics.

Leading investigators in the fields of biofluid mechanics and hemorheologists from twenty-two countries around the world participated in the success of the Symposium.

I should like to extend special thanks to my colleagues Dr. Gontard Jaster, Prof. Herman Albrich, Dipl.Ing. Helmut Preissler and Mrs. Preissler for their help in organizing the meeting; and to Ms. Joyce McLean and Mr. Axel Poll for their work in organizing the Symposium and preparing the Proceedings for publication.