Abstract
The region where the vascular lumen meets the surrounding endothelium cell layer, hence the interface region between haemodynamics and cell tissue, is of primary importance in the physiological functions of the cardiovascular system. The functions include mass transport to/from the blood and tissue, and signalling via mechanotransduction, which are primary functions of the cardiovascular system and abnormalities in these functions are known to affect disease formation and vascular remodelling. This region is denoted by the near-wall region in the present work, and we outline simple yet effective numerical recipes to analyse the near-wall flow field. Computational haemodynamics solutions are presented for six patient specific cerebral aneurysms, at three instances in the cardiac cycle: peak systole, end systole (taken as dicrotic notch) and end diastole. A sensitivity study, based on Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheological models, and different flow rate profiles, is effected for a selection of aneurysm cases. The near-wall flow field is described by the wall shear stress (WSS) and the divergence of wall shear stress (WSSdiv), as descriptors of tangential and normal velocity components, respectively, as well as the wall shear stress critical points. Relations between near-wall and free-stream flow fields are discussed.
Highlights
Biological systems are complex, often involving a multitude of coupled processes occurring at different scales, both spatially and temporally
A common feature to most cases is that of a persistent focus, which is present throughout the cardiac cycle
These velocity components are effectively proportional to the wall shear stress (WSS) and the divergence of wall shear stress (WSSdiv), respectively
Summary
Biological systems are complex, often involving a multitude of coupled processes occurring at different scales, both spatially and temporally. When events such as diseases form, it is a challenging and daunting task to deconstruct the processes involved in identifying succinctly a relation and cause. Cardiovascular diseases have benefited from intense research and the resulting important breakthroughs; they remain prevalent and a leading causes of mortality. Until they rupture, at which stage the risks of mortality or morbidity are very high. The task of unravelling the cause of aneurysm initiation, growth and rupture has developed immensely over recent decades, and while there are still many open questions it is widely accepted that the fluid mechanics plays an important role in all aneurysm stages
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