Numerical Investigation of Hemodynamic Factors in Cellular Blood Flow: Insights From Curved Microvessels

This study investigates the effects of hemodynamic factors on blood cell suspension flows and their properties in curved microvessels. A parametric study is employed to compare these properties between curved and straight vessels.

A 3D fluid solver coupled with a cell membrane modeling framework via the immersed boundary method was used to simulate cell-resolved blood flow in straight and curved vessels featuring a 90° bend with moderate curvature.

Blood flow in curved vessels shows lower and higher shear rates in the inner and outer bulk regions, respectively, compared to straight vessels. Asymmetry in hematocrit profiles is linked to less dense suspensions, smaller diameters, and higher Capillary numbers, while the maximum velocity location remains consistent with straight vessels. At physiological shear rates, moderate curvatures, and large diameters, curvature has minimal impact on apparent viscosity. However, diffusivity is elevated at the center of curved vessels compared to straight ones.

This study reveals new insights into blood suspension flows in curved microvessels with a 90° bend, highlighting key differences from straight vessels under certain hemodynamic conditions. These findings lay the groundwork for future research on realistic microvessel geometries and their implications.