Numerical analysis of the influence of a change in the vertebral arteries joint angle on the blood flow

Krzysztof Jozwik, Damian Obidowski, Maciej Pogorzelski

Medical Apparatus Division, Institute of Turbomachinery,,Technical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2009.1.0209

Abstract:

Cerebral circulation can be regarded as the most important element of blood circulation. Total ischaemia of neurotic cells, lasting longer than a few minutes, is irreversible in its consequences and results in their death. Due to that fact, blood must be constantly delivered to this region of human body. The primary system of brain blood supply consists of independent systems of two carotid and vertebral arteries. Vertebral arteries join into a basilar artery. This joint has a specific character as only 2% of all nodes are vessel joints. Moreover, due to its spatial shape, various diameters of inner vessels, various lengths, as well as various joint angles become an area of interesting research. Because of a lack of opportunity in direct diagnosis of this area, numerical experiments on average combinations of geometric models have been carried out. To conduct these investigations, two 3D models of the artery system differing in the value of the joint angle of vertebral arteries and the basilar artery, starting with the aortic ostium and finishing with the basilar artery have been generated. At the inlet to the system, three different velocities of the liquid modelling blood have been applied one by one. The results of the simulation indicate the way the joint angle and velocity change at the inlet influences the character and velocity of the flow in the area under analysis. Also, they clearly show which angle would be better from the view point of the flow hemodynamics.

Cite as:

Jozwik, K., Obidowski, D., & Pogorzelski, M. (2009). Numerical analysis of the influence of a change in the vertebral arteries joint angle on the blood flow. Computer Methods in Materials Science, 9(1), 72 – 78. https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2009.1.0209

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