Time Resolved DPIV Analysis of Pulsatile Flow in Symmetric Stenotic Arteries: A Comparison Between Arterial and Coronary Flow

The presence of stenoses in the vasculature is responsible for significant alterations in the blood flow patterns. The flow within the stenosis is characterized by regions of high shear rates and flow separation, and downstream of stenosis recirculation region is formed, with low wall shear stresses (WSS) and large residence time[1,2. Flow in a symmetric stenosis is characterized by a central jet region with axisymmetrically separated flow surrounding it. A shear layer is formed between the jet and the recirculation region, which may be responsible for platelet activation [3,4] Wall shear stresses as high as 1500 to 3000 dynes/cm² have been predicted at the throat of the stenosis in coronary flow models. A thorough characterization of these phenomenon is important because of the established relationship between the hemodynamics and vascular pathology. [3,4]