Flow and stress characteristics in rigid walled and compliant carotid artery bifurcation models

Computer simulation of pulsatile non-Newtonian blood flow has been carried out in different human carotid artery bifurcation models. In the first part of the investigation, two rigid walled models are analysed, differing in the bifurcation angle (wide angle and acute angle bifurcation) and in the shape of both the sinus (narrow and larger sinus width) and the bifurcation region (small and larger rounding of the flow divider), in order to contribute to the study of the geometric factor in atherosclerosis. The results show a significant difference in the wall shear stress and in the flow separation. Flow recirculation in the sinus is much more pronounced in the acute angle carotid. An important factor in flow separation is the sinus width. In the second part of the study, flow velocity and wall shear stress distribution have been analysed in a compliant carotid artery bifurcation model. In the mathematical model, the non-Newtonian flow field and the idealized elastic wall displacement are coupled and calculated iteratively at each time step. Maximum displacement of approximately 6% of the diastolic vessel diameter occurs at the side wall of the bifurcation region. The investigation demonstrates that the wall distensibility alters the flow field and the wall shear stress during the systolic phase. Comparison with corresponding rigid wall results shows that flow separation and wall shear stress are reduced in the distensible wall model.