Flow dynamics in partially blocked tibial artery

Abstract

Tibial artery comprises of two branches, anterior and posterior sides of the subject. These arteries are often obstructed due to plaque formation. They are also affected by several other conditions like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, drinking. In the present paper, peak wall shear stresses and velocities are computed for seventy percent blocked bifurcated tibial artery at varying postures. Three postures sitting, erect and supine positions are considered for the analysis and on the other hand, the artery is assumed to be affected by diabetes and hypertension. In normal arterial flow, the maximum velocity is noticed at supine posture. In contrast, the maximum wall shear stress is observed in a diabetic affected artery when compared to a normal arterial flow. In anterior and posterior tibial arteries, the peak velocities in normal and diabetic arteries are observed at 45-degree bifurcation. In contrast, peak stresses in normal and diabetic affected arteries at the anterior and posterior tibial arteries are noted at 60-degree bifurcation. The study presents the effect of artery bifurcation when subjected to comorbidities at various postural changes.