Correlation between Reynolds number and eccentricity effect in stenosed artery models

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Javadzadegan, Ashkan^a | Shimizu, Yasutomo^b | Behnia, Masud^a | Ohta, Makoto^{c; *}

Affiliations: [a] Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, School of Aerospace, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia | [b] Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, Tohoku, Japan | [c] Intelligent Fluid Systems Division, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Makoto Ohta, Intelligent Fluid Systems Division, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira Aoba-ku, Sendai Miyagi, 980-8577, Japan. Tel.: +81 90 58 36 93 27; +81 22 217 53 09; Fax: +81 22 217 53 09; E-mail: ohta@biofluid.ifs.tohoku.ac.jp.

Abstract: Background:Flow recirculation and shear strain are physiological processes within coronary arteries which are associated with pathogenic biological pathways. Distinct Quite apart from coronary stenosis severity, lesion eccentricity can cause flow recirculation and affect shear strain levels within human coronary arteries. Objective:The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of lesion eccentricity on the transient flow behaviour in a model of a coronary artery and also to investigate the correlation between Reynolds number (Re) and the eccentricity effect on flow behaviour. Methods:A transient particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiment was implemented in two silicone based models with 70% diameter stenosis, one with eccentric stenosis and one with concentric stenosis. Results:At different times throughout the flow cycle, the eccentric model was always associated with a greater recirculation zone length, maximum shear strain rate and maximum axial velocity; however, the highest and lowest impacts of eccentricity were on the recirculation zone length and maximum shear strain rate, respectively. Analysis of the results revealed a negative correlation between the Reynolds number (Re) and the eccentricity effect on maximum axial velocity, maximum shear strain rate and recirculation zone length. Conclusions:As Re number increases the eccentricity effect on the flow behavior becomes negligible.

Keywords: Particle image velocimetry, coronary artery, stenosis, eccentricity, Reynolds number

DOI: 10.3233/THC-130736

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 357-367, 2013