Numerical flow studies in human carotid artery bifurcations: basic discussion of the geometric factor in atherogenesis

In this study fluid dynamic variables are analysed numerically in different human carotid artery bifurcation models in order to clarify the geometric factor in carotid bifurcation atherogenesis. The geometric variations describe healthy human carotid bifurcation anatomy and concern the shape of the carotid sinus and the angle between the branches. The flow conditions remain unchanged. The governing Navier--Stokes equations describing incompressible, pulsatile, three-dimensional viscous flow are approximated using a pressure correction finite element procedure which has been developed for time-consuming, three-dimensional, time-dependent viscous flow problems. The study concentrates on flow velocity, on detailed analysis of flow separation and flow recirculation, and on wall shear stress distribution. The results show that the extension and the location of the recirculation zone in the sinus as well as the duration of separated flow during the pulse cycle are affected by the geometrical variations. In view of the significance of the reversed flow zones and of the accompanied low shear regions in atherogenesis the geometry-dependent flow separation characteristics in the sinus is of substantial interest.