title: Analysis of non-Newtonian effects on Low-Density Lipoprotein accumulation in an artery.
abstract: In this work, non-Newtonian effects on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) transport across an artery are analyzed with a multi-layer model. Four rheological models (Carreau, Carreau-Yasuda, power-law and Newtonian) are used for the blood flow through the lumen. For the non-Newtonian cases, the arterial wall is modeled with a generalized momentum equation. Convection-diffusion equation is used for the LDL transport through the lumen, while Staverman-Kedem-Katchalsky, combined with porous media equations, are used for the LDL transport through the wall. Results are presented in terms of filtration velocity, Wall Shear Stresses (WSS) and concentration profiles. It is shown that non-Newtonian effects on mass transport are negligible for a healthy intramural pressure value. Non-Newtonian effects increase slightly with intramural pressure, but Newtonian assumption can still be considered reliable. Effects of arterial size are also analyzed, showing that Newtonian assumption can be considered valid for both medium and large arteries, in predicting LDL deposition. Finally, non-Newtonian effects are also analyzed for an aorta-common iliac bifurcation, showing that Newtonian assumption is valid for mass transport at low Reynolds numbers. At a high Reynolds number, it has been shown that a non-Newtonian fluid model can have more impact due to the presence of flow recirculation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, Napoli 80125, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iasiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. Electronic address: vafai@engr.ucr.edu.
authors.forename: Kambiz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vafai
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, Napoli 80125, Italy.
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreozzi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, Napoli 80125, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bianco
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004058:Diffusion; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D016062:Porosity; D012212:Rheology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL
keywords: Aorta–common iliac bifurcation; LDL transport; Non-Newtonian effects; Rheological models