Flow in a symmetrically branched tube simulating the aortic bifurcation: the effects of unevenly distributed flow.

Abstract

The effects of unevenly distributed flow were investigated in a symmetrically branched tube with an angle of branching and branch-to-trunk area ratio that were comparable to the human descending aorta. Profiles of velocity were measured at the vertex of the bifurcation with a laser Doppler anemometer during pulsatile flow as well as steady flow. The mean Reynolds numbers were 500, 1000, and 1500. When flow in the branches was equal, reversals were present along the outer wall during the minimal phase of the flow cycle at a Reynolds number of 500. Such reversals were absent at higher Reynolds numbers. When flow in the branches was unequal, reversals occurred only in the branch with the lower flow. Such reversals occurred at all of the Reynolds numbers studied. Pulsatile flow separation, however, did not occur at any Reynolds number when the flow in the branches was equal. Pulsatile flow separation occurred in the partially occluded branch when flow in the branch was ≤8% of the total flow only at Reynolds numbers of 1000 and 1500. A prominent difference between pulsatile and steady flow was that reversals along the outer wall occurred during pulsatile flow at percentages that were prominently higher than the percentage of flow in the branch that produced reversals during steady flow. These observations may be pertinent to understanding the potential of characteristics of flow in the genesis of atherosclerosis in the region of the bifurcation of the aorta.