Three Dimensional Numerical Analysis of Flow Through the Human Carotid Bifurcation With Varying Degrees of Stenotic Plaque Formation

The human carotid artery bifurcation is often affected by plaque and atherosclerotic formations. A high degree of stenosis due to plaque deposit in the carotid artery can significantly diminish blood flow to the brain [1]. For three decades, local flow anomalies such as flow separation, recirculation, low wall shear stress, and high local particle residence time are factors that have been implicated in the development of arterial diseases [3, 1]. Numerical analysis of flow through a stenotic carotid bifurcation provides insight into local flow dynamics and an assessment of the risks of particular modes and degrees of stenosis.