Open Access

ABSTRACT

Non-Newtonian Effects on the Wall Shear Stress of the Blood Flow in Stenotic Right Coronary Arteries

by B. Liu¹, D. Tang²

1 Department of Mathematics, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ07764, U.S.A.1 Department of Mathematics, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ07764, U.S.A.
2 Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA 01609, U.S.A.

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences 2011, 17(2), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.3970/icces.2011.017.055

Abstract

The effects of the non-Newtonian blood viscosity on the wall shear stress (WSS) of the blood flows in stenotic right coronary arteries have been investigated by computer simulations. The numerical calculations were performed using the Newtonian Model and the non-Newtonian models with the fluid obeying the Power Law and the Carreau models for the simulations of unsteady blood flows. The differences on the spatial and temporal WSS distribution patterns due to the different blood properties were compared. The computational results demonstrate that the blood viscosity properties do not affect the spatial WSS distribution pattern qualitatively. The region on the inner wall distal to the stenosis experiences a constantly low WSS during an entire cardiac cycle and the WSS in this region is less than 1 N/m² anytime in the cardiac cycle. However, blood viscosity properties have considerable effect on the magnitude of the WSS, especially where disturbed flow occurs. The Newtonian model and the Carreau model show a good agreement quantitatively in the WSS along the artery wall. The Power Law model results in a much lower WSS where and when the WSS is relatively high, especially towards the end of the cardiac cycle.

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Keywords

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