Simulating cyclic artery compression using a 3D unsteady model with fluid–structure interactions

High pulsating blood pressure and severe stenosis make fluid–structure interaction (FSI) an important role in simulating blood flow in stenotic arteries. A three-dimensional nonlinear model with FSI and a numerical method using GFD are introduced to study unsteady viscous flow in stenotic tubes with cyclic wall collapse simulating blood flow in stenotic carotid arteries. The Navier–Stokes equations are used as the governing equations for the fluid. A thin-shell model is used for the tube wall. Interaction between fluid and tube wall is treated by an incremental boundary iteration method. Elastic properties of the tube wall are determined experimentally using a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel artery stenosis model. Cyclic tube compression and collapse, negative pressure and high shear stress at the throat of the stenosis, flow recirculation and low shear stress just distal to the stenoses were observed under physiological conditions. These critical flow and mechanical conditions may be related to platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, excessive artery fatigue and possible plaque cap rupture. Computational and experimental results are compared and reasonable agreement is found.