Calculation of pulsatile flow and particle paths in an aneurysm-model.
The velocity field and the wall shear stress have been calculated numerically by the finite element method to the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations for pulsatile flow in a model of an aneurysm. The results show a complex flow field with two eddies growing and disappearing during the cardiac cycle. Downstream at the outlet vessel high wall shear stress occurs, which may lead to a downstream-growing of the aneurysm. With the knowledge of a sufficiently accurate flow field, the calculation of several particle paths has been carried out. Starting points and starting time are varied. The paths demonstrate the time-dependent development, shift and disappearance of vortices during the pulsatile cycle and provide hints on zones of stasis. These are significant factors in thrombogenesis.
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012212:Rheology