A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF BLOOD FLOW IN AN INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM: ANALYTICAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY
An aneurysm is a local enlargement of the vessel lumen due to the weakening of the wall material. We propose a mathematical model of the pulsatile blood flow through the system consisting of the cerebral artery and an aneurysm. The mathematical model is based on mass and energy conservation laws. It comprises non-linear rheological properties of the aneurysm and artery, and inertial and resistant properties of the blood flow. The model equations are analyzed by the methods of non-linear dynamics and they are solved numerically. Special attention is paid to the flow stability as a function of the aneurysmal and arterial material properties, the mean and oscillating arterial pressure, and the frequency of heart pulsations. The results of the work can be summarized as follows: (i) the model equations are stable at normal physiological conditions and developed aneurysms, (ii) with decreasing of the aneurysmal compliance, the aneurysmal volume pulsations increase and a limit point of flow stability is approached, (iii) the increased amplitude of the pulsatile pressure and the heart frequency cannot lead to flow instabilities.