Rheological Analysis of Blood Flow in the Bifurcation of Carotid Artery with OpenFOAM

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate the influence of rheological models for blood flow in the carotid artery bifurcation. Methods: The geometry (developed in SolidWorks) was based on the mean dimensions of several angiograms of adults and children. Newtonian and non-Newtonian (Casson, Carreau-Yasuda and Power Law models) hypothesis were admitted for modelling the rheological behavior of the blood. The parameters of the equations that govern the rheological behavior were taken from blood itself. The flow simulation was performed using open source software OpenFOAM, with the solvers nonNewtonianIcoFoam (non-Newtonian hypothesis) and icoFoam (Newtonian hypothesis). Both use the PISO algorithm. Results: In all models, the fluid presents a “detachment” in the non-divider wall. This behavior is more noted in the Newtonian hypothesis, which also presents “C” shaped profiles. Conclusions: The Newtonian behavior diverges from the non-Newtonian and the results demonstrate that there is a good concordance between the non-Newtonian models. For a mid-sized artery such as the carotid artery, the non-Newtonian hypothesis is more indicated. There are no significant differences between the Casson, Power Law and Carreau-Yasuda models.