A 3D unsteady flow analysis in a doubly constricted arterial vessel.
The aim of this study is to examine the interaction between two mild atherosclerotic proliferations spaced apart by a distance S by analyzing their influence on flow structure, pressure drop and stress field in an arterial vessel under pulsatile flow conditions. This has been achieved numerically by employing a time accurate, cell centered finite volume method in solving the Navier-Stokes equations governing the 3D unsteady flow dynamics in a conceptual model of an multiply constricted arterial vessel. In comparison to the pressure drop across a single stenosis, nearly a 50% increase in the late systolic and early diastolic pressure drops has been observed across the two mild constrictions when they are spaced within a distance of S<or=4. When S<or=4, more than a 25% reduction in the peak systolic wall shear stress (WSS) on the downstream constriction is noted.
Advanced Computer Center, RIKEN, 2-1Hiro-sawa, Wako-shi, 351-0198, Japan.
B V Rathish
BV
Kumar
T
T
Yamaguchi
H
H
Liu
R
R
Himeno
D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D013314:Stress, Mechanical