Flow through a partially blocked artery downstream of a stented region

Abstract

A numerical analysis of flow through a stenosed artery downstream of a stented region is presented. Three different Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved stents (Bx Velocity, NIR, and Multilink Zeta) are considered in analyzing pressure drop and flow rates at the blockage and outlet of artery. Blood flow inside the artery is assumed to be steady. The inlet pressures are defined as the mean arterial pressures in the stented artery using all stages of blood pressures. The pressure drop and volumetric flow rate increases at the blocked artery with increase in mean arterial pressures. In contrast to the previous results the pressure drop and volumetric flow rates decreases at the narrow end of the artery. A comparison was made between all the three different stents which determines the highly optimum stent geometry. An unsteady flow analysis is performed using NIR stent since it is proved to highly optimum when compared to other stents. The velocity and mass flow rates at the outlet are relatively high for unsteady flow rates when compared to steady flow rates. A grid independence study was also performed for all the three stents for accuracy. The obtained results can be used in determining the restenosis rates in patients after NIR stent implantation.