Wall stress and strain analysis using a three-dimensional thick-wall model with fluid-structure interactions for blood flow in carotid arteries with stenoses

Wall mechanics and fluid-structure interactions play important roles in artery collapse and plaque cap rupture, which leads directly to heart attack and stroke. A three-dimensional thick-wall model with fluid-structure interactions was introduced and solved using ADINA to investigate the wall stress and strain distributions and flow properties of blood flow in carotid arteries with symmetric and asymmetric stenoses. The Navier-Stokes equations were used as the governing equations for the fluid. The tube wall was assumed to be hyperelastic, homogeneous, isotropic and incompressible. The Ogden material model was used for the tube wall. Experimental data for a silicone tube with a 78% stenosis by diameter was used to derive the stress-strain relationship for the material. Results obtained indicate that severe stenosis causes considerable compressive stress in the tube wall which may be related to plaque cap rupture. Stenosis severity and asymmetry have considerable influence on wall stress and strain distributions. Three-dimensional wall deformation, flow pressure, velocity and shear stress fields were investigated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.