Numerical analysis of blood flow in the abdominal aorta under simulated weightlessness and earth conditions

Abstract

Blood flow through the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries is a crucial area of research in hemodynamics and cardiovascular diseases. To get in to the problem, this study presents detailed analyses of blood flow through the abdominal aorta, together with left and right iliac arteries, under Earth gravity and weightless conditions, both at the rest stage, and during physical activity. The analysis were conducted using ANSYS Fluent software. The results indicate, that there is significantly less variation in blood flow velocity under weightless conditions, compared to measurement taken under Earth Gravity conditions. Study presents, that the maximum and minimum blood flow velocities decrease and increase, respectively, under weightless conditions. Our model for the left iliac artery revealed higher blood flow velocities during the peak of the systolic phase (systole) and lower velocities during the early diastolic phase (diastole). Furthermore, we analyzed the shear stress of the vessel wall and the mean shear stress over time. Additionally, the distribution of oscillatory shear rate, commonly used in hemodynamic analyses, was examined to assess the effects of blood flow on the blood vessels. Countermeasures to mitigate the negative effects of weightlessness on astronauts health are discussed, including exercises performed on the equipment aboard the space station. These exercises aim to maintain optimal blood flow, prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.