Simulation of steady cardiovascular flow in the presence of stenosis using a finite element method.

Stenosis could affect one or more segments of the human cardiovascular system. It is a problem capable of causing grave effects. In the present study, the finite element method has been utilised to construct a computer simulation model for the human cardiovascular system in which one or more blood carrying elastic segments are affected by stenosis. Computational effects on the effects of stenosis in aorta arch, carotid, and coronary arteries on parameters of steady flow through the system are presented. It is found that when the total flow rate through the heart is maintained constant, the most notable effect is a very marked increase in pressure drop occurring over the length of the vessel affected with stenosis. Pressure drop in many other segments also increases but by a much smaller extent. On the other hand, when the pressure at the inlet of the ascending aorta and the outlet of the vena cava are maintained constant, the most marked effect is a decrease of flow rate through the stenosed vessel. Stenosis not only causes a pressure drop in the affected segments but it also changes pressures at points distal from the site of stenosis. It also causes a redistribution of flow through the cardiovascular system.