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Numerical computation of blood hemodynamic through constricted human left coronary artery: Pulsatile simulations
Rupali Pandey1, Manoj Kumar1, Vivek Kumar Srivastav2
1Department of Mathematics, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, U.P. 211004, India.
Insights
This study simulated pulsatile blood flow in human coronary arteries with varying plaque buildup. Computational fluid dynamics revealed disturbed flow and high wall shear stress in severely narrowed arteries, aiding early disease severity prediction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular hemodynamics
- Biomedical engineering
- Computational fluid dynamics
Background:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) results from plaque buildup, obstructing blood flow.
- Understanding blood flow dynamics in constricted arteries is crucial for CAD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze pulsatile blood flow in human left coronary arteries with 25%, 50%, and 75% constrictions.
- To investigate hemodynamic parameters like velocity and Wall Shear Stress (WSS) at different constriction levels.
Main Methods:
- A 2D coronary artery model was created from CT scan data.
- A non-Newtonian Carreau model and Finite Volume Method were used for simulations.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessed flow velocity, streamlines, and WSS throughout the cardiac cycle.
Main Results:
- The 75% constricted artery showed maximum velocities of 0.14 m/s and 0.53 m/s during systole.
- Flow separation and disturbed flow patterns were observed near severe constrictions.
- Maximum Wall Shear Stress (WSS) reached 18.81 Pa in the most diseased artery during peak systole.
Conclusions:
- Computational analysis of hemodynamic parameters can predict coronary artery disease severity.
- This approach can assist clinicians in planning timely interventions for CAD.
- Early prognosis based on hemodynamic assessment may reduce mortality from Coronary Artery Disease.
Background And Objective:
The accumulation of plaque in the coronary artery of the human heart restricts the path of blood flow in that region and leads to Coronary Artery Disease. This study's goal is to present the pulsatile blood flow conduct through four different levels of constrictions, i.e., healthy, 25%, 50%, and 75% in human left coronary arteries.
Methods:
Using CT scan data of a healthy person, the two-dimensional coronary model is constructed. A non-Newtonian Carreau model is used to study the maximum flow velocity, streamline effect, and maximum Wall Shear Stress at the respective constricted areas over the entire cardiac cycle. Finite Volume Method is executed for solving the governing equations. The fluctuating Wall Shear Stress (WSS) at different levels was assessed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Results:
The comparative study of the diseased arteries showcases that at the systolic phase, the 75% blocked artery attains the maximum velocity of 0.14 m/s and 0.53 m/s at t=0.005 s and t=0.115 s, respectively. While the maximum velocity takes a significant drop at t=0.23 s and t=0.345 s, this marks the diastolic phase. The streamline contour showcased the blood flow conduct at different phases of the cardiac cycle. At the peak systolic phase, a dense flow separation was observed near the blocked regions. It highlights the disturbed flow in that particular region. The most severely diseased artery acquires the maximum WSS of 18.81 Pa at the peak systolic phase, i.e., at t=0.115 s.
Conclusions:
The computational study of the hemodynamic parameters can aid in the early anticipation of the degree of the severity of the diseased arteries. This study, in a way, could benefit doctors/surgeons to plan an early treatment/surgery on the grounds of the severity of the disease. Thus, a before time prognosis could restrain the number of deaths caused due to Coronary Artery Disease.
