Effect Of Microvessels Stiffness on Hemodynamic; an FSI Analysis

Abstract

The exploits of computer modelling in the study of cardiovascular disease have recently gained significant progress. In this study, the effect of microvessels stiffness on blood pressure and blood flow-induced wall shear stress (WSS) was analysed numerically. Three microvessels in diameters of 100, 200 and 300 microns with respectively media thicknesses of 10, 20 and 30 microns, were designed. Then for each model as material properties, the elastic modulus of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 MPa was applied. The blood flow within the microvessels was investigated using CFD analysis. A fluid-structure interaction (FSI) multiphysics analysis was performed to observe the effect of vascular stiffness on blood pressure and vice versa the effect of blood flow on the microvessel deformation. The result of the analysis showed that increasing the stiffness of the vessel increases blood pressure and WSS, and as well as causes a decline in its deformation capability. The outcome of this theoretical study shed more light on understanding cardiovascular diseases roots and origin, especially in micron-sized vessels.