Hemodynamic influence on silver and gold nanoparticle transport in a stenosed carotid artery

The present work investigates the hemodynamic characteristics through numerical modeling of a hybrid blood-based nanoparticles containing gold and silver within a three-dimensional (3D) idealized bifurcated carotid artery under healthy and diseased conditions. The nonlinear governing equations are solved using the finite element method (FEM) with appropriate pulsatile initial and boundary conditions. Blood behavior is modeled using both Newtonian and non-Newtonian viscosity models (Power-law and Carreau) to more accurately represent hyperemic blood flow conditions. Three-dimensional idealized models of a bifurcated carotid artery with an approximately 80° branching angle, including the internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA), are developed for analysis. In this study, four cases - healthy, 30%, 60%, and 80% stenoses - are analyzed using silver and gold nanoparticles. The flow is modeled as unsteady, incompressible, and laminar. Blood flow performance is evaluated by examining changes in pressure, temperature, wall shear stress, and velocity induced by varying degrees of stenosis and by comparing Newtonian and non-Newtonian behaviors. For 0%, 30%, 60%, and 80% stenoses, the temperature and hemodynamic parameters are evaluated at t = 0.7s, and the corresponding maximum velocities are 0.20 m/s, 0.33 m/s, 0.53 m/s, and 1.59 m/s, respectively. The results indicate that the highest velocity observed at 80% stenosis increases by 196%, 200%, and 206% for the Newtonian, Carreau, and Power-law models, respectively. To identify heat transfer phenomena, temperature profiles are analyzed, revealing only slight variations in temperature magnitude; however, the temperature gradient is significantly higher, and the isotherms are denser in the diseased region. These findings enhance the understanding of complex biofluid dynamics and contribute to the progress of targeted therapeutic strategies for vascular diseases. This three-dimensional blood-based dual-nanoparticle investigation surpasses prior research by providing a basis for clinical diagnostic thresholds and a comprehensive strategy for targeted, high-shear nanomedicine.