Cyclic flow characteristics in an idealized asymmetric abdominal aortic aneurysm model

The flow characteristics and the corresponding hydrodynamic stability in an idealized asymmetric abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model have been investigated using a laser Doppler anemometer. A rectified sine waveform was used to simulate aortic flow conditions (Re(delta) = 806 and alpha = 12.2). The flow around the distal neck of the AAA model undergoes transition and becomes turbulent for a fraction of time shortly after the commencement of the deceleration phases at every flow cycle while the rest of the flow inside the model stayed laminar throughout the cycle. As a result of non-symmetric vortical structure development inside the model, the distribution of turbulent shear stresses was found to be highly uneven along the radial direction of the model; this is in contrast to results found by the present authors in the symmetrical AAA model. The maximum turbulent shear stress found at the straight side of the distal neck are four times more than the maximum turbulent shear stress measured at the most dilated side of the distal neck. One of the interesting biological implications of the results is that the outward dilation of the arterial wall may be a physiological response to avoid the high turbulent shear load from the momentarily turbulent blood flow.