Computational Investigation of Fluid-structure Interactional Sinus Shapes’ Impact on Pulsating Atherosclerotic Risk Hemodynamics for Carotid Bifurcation Blood Flow

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a precursor condition to stroke resulting from carotid blood vessel hemodynamics, contributing to global mortality. This research aims to investigate the impact of sinus shapes of a patient-based carotid artery bifurcation on atherosclerotic hemodynamics. The finite element method-based COMSOL Multiphysics software has been used to compute interactions between fluids and solids. The impact of various sinus shape models on total flow features and hemodynamic risk parameters is presented. Current research reveals that a trapezoidal sinus susceptible to atherosclerosis exhibits notable separation on both walls of the bifurcating branch. The computational findings indicate that the inside wall’s time-averaged wall shear stress in the trapezoid model has increased by 13% and 21% compared to sinus models of triangle and ellipsoid, whereas the average pressure drop over time at the bifurcating junction is 6% and 10% higher. Vorticity, helicity, and von Mises stress analyses indicate a greater potential atherosclerotic risk for the trapezoidal sinus. The form of the trapezoid shows elevated displacement around the sinus. A thinner wall and a reduced elastic modulus permit increased deformation. Both a high elastic modulus and a low wall thickness are susceptible to the formation of atheromatous thrombus. The ellipsoid form’s mass flow ratio rises by 18% when compared to the trapezoid form and by 27% when compared to the triangle form. Therefore, a person with a sinus of trapezoid is more prone to the advancement and growth of atherosclerotic plaques, resulting in endothelial impairment.