Numerical analysis of flow patterns in trifurcate left coronary arteries

• Main Authors: Shing-shang Huang, 黃興上
• Other Authors: Ming-jyh Chern
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/42077751663482132201

碩士 === 國立臺灣科技大學 === 機械工程系 === 96 === The aim of this study is to investigate variations of blood flows in vitro Left Coronary Arteries(LCA) using numerical approaches. The geometry of LCA comes from Computer Tomography(CT) measurements of 5 patients, so the angles of trifurcation, diameter, curvature of blood vessels are different. Subsequently, we analyze flow patterns and stress distributions in bifurcate and trifurcate LCA using a finite volume model. We are consider blood flows in LCA with various geometric parameters, observe flow patterns and surface stress distributions on the artery walls, and predict possibility of cardiovascular diseases. In terms of the obtained numerical results, the blood flows smoothly in acceleration of systole and diastole, but flow patterns change seriously in deceleration of diastole. Due to the influence of angles of bifurcation, there are vortices close to the outside walls at Left Anterior Descending(LAD) or Left Circumflex(LCX) entrance. The oscillatory and low shear stress caused by a vortical flow affects the vessel walls. Hence the vessel intima may be injured by variation of stress. As a result, it will become atherosclerotic for a long term in LCA. In addition to the influence of angle, a Dean flow is observed in the curved part of LCA in deceleration of diastole. It may cause astherosclerosis under this condition. The mass flow rate of blood is proportional to diameter and angle of bifurcation. LRI not only increases pressure loss and oscillatory shear stress in trifurcate area, but also raises the critical angle with vortical effect. Therefore flow patterns of LCA are influenced obviously by LRI.