Effect of stenosis growth on blood flow at the bifurcation of the carotid artery.

The effects of stenosis growth on the flow properties of blood flow is considered. Details of the blood flow are simulated using the lattice Boltzmann
method and the development of the stenosis is modelled using an approach
which simulates its development in regions where there is a low velocity and
low wall-shear-stress. The model is applied to investigate the near-wall velocity and wall shear stress over a period, and how this changes at key times
in the development of the stenosis. Changes in the time-averaged values are
also considered over a period of the motion. It is found that as the stenosis
develops, a region of low near-wall velocity is formed around the down-stream
limit of the stenosis, containing significant back-flow. This leads to the steno
sis developing primarily in a down-stream direction. It is also observed that
the changing wall geometry occurs in a region where vortex motion is generated in a healthy artery. The formation of the stenosis in the region has the
effect of reducing this vortex motion.