Study on the Radial Sectional Velocity Distribution and Wall Shear Stress Associated With Carotid Artery Stenosis
Abstract BackgroundAtherosclerosis is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. The wall shear stress (WSS) is one of the key factors of plaque formation and dislodgement. Currently, WSS estimation is based on measurement of the blood velocity gradient. However, due to the lack of flow field measurements in carotid stenosis vessels, the two distribution forms (parabolic and non-parabolic) commonly considered in numerical simulations could cause WSS estimates to differ by more than 40%, which could seriously affect the accuracy of mechanical analysis. MethodsThis study was the first to apply 3D printing technology to create an experimental model of real-structure carotid arteries. Microparticle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) was adopted to comprehensively measure blood velocity field data at the stenosis location, providing experimental validation of numerical simulation (Fluent; finite volume method) results. Then, the flow field was simulated at a normal human heart rate (45-120 beats per minute). ResultsThis study revealed that when blood flowed across the carotid artery stenosis location, the velocity distribution was not parabolic but rather a plateau-shaped distribution, with a similar flow velocity in the central area (more than 65% of the total flow path). The WSS values calculated based on a parabolic velocity distribution and the maximum velocity were nearly 60% lower.ConclusionThis study provides a reliable method for WSS determination to better understand the vascular stenosis location and facilitate flow and shear force field research. In the future, it is necessary to carry out in-depth research on the relationship between the plaque shape, flow field distribution and WSS, and amendments to the calculated WSS for clinical stenosis should be proposed.