Numerical simulation of blood flow through arteries

Abstract

Flow patterns are investigated in simplified three-dimensional arterial models. The blood is considered as an incompressible Newtonian fluid obeying the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid flow. Therefore, these equations are used as a mathematical model to simulate the blood flow. Since these equations are difficult to solve analytically, a computational approach is utilized. To use this approach a suitable treatment of the complex arterial geometry is required. A proper numerical technique is also needed to solve the blood flow equations. A curvilinear coordinate system is used to solve the problem of geometry where an algebraic grid generation technique is used to generate the arterial geometry. The Navier-Stokes equations are written in the new coordinates and a computer program is developed utilizing the space marching method to integrate these equations for steady blood flow. The program is used to solve many problems that are of interest to hemodynamic studies. Results for flow with separated region (89% stenosis) and flow with secondary velocities (curved aneurysm) are presented and discussed. These results show the ability of the numerical methods to calculate the velocity fields and wall shear stress for three-dimensional arterial configurations.<>