Numerical and experimental analysis of the transitional flow across a real stenosis

Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2017 Aug;16(4):1447-1458. doi: 10.1007/s10237-017-0898-2. Epub 2017 Mar 25.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a numerical study of the pulsatile transitional flow crossing a severe real stenosis located right in front of the bifurcation between the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. The simulation allows one to determine relevant features of this subject-specific flow, such as the pressure waves in the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. We explain the subclavian steal syndrome suffered by the patient in terms of the drastic pressure drop in the right subclavian artery. This pressure drop is caused by both the diverging part of the analyzed stenosis and the reverse flow in the bifurcation induced by another stenosis in the right internal carotid artery.

Keywords: CFD; Stenosis; Subclavian steal syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Arterial Pressure
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Carotid Artery, Common / pathology*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Subclavian Artery / pathology*
  • Subclavian Steal Syndrome / physiopathology