Effects of curvature and stenosis on velocity and wall shear stress patterns in a coronary artery model with phasic flow

For many years it has been recognized that disturbed flow, primarily near branch points and at the inner surface of bends, plays in important role in determining the distribution of atherosclerotic plaque. Since direct measurement of velocity profiles within a coronary artery is impossible, we have used computational fluid dynamics to derive the velocity and shear stress profiles in a model of a typical coronary artery with a 90/spl deg/ bend, stenoses up to 75% (by area) and phasic flow with a peak Reynolds number of 700. Results show that as obstructions progress in their severity, there are extremes in high and low wall shear stress in areas adjacent to the plaque, a situation that may promote both plaque progression and plaque rupture.