Numerical study of blood fluid rheology in the abdominal aorta

The present paper reports the numerical modelling of blood flow in the abdominal aorta. The effect of blood rheology on flow dynamics was studied in a 3D model of the abdominal aorta bifurcation into the iliac arteries using the FLUENT software. Newtonian and non-Newtonian models for the fluid viscosity have been implemented for assessing the size of the recirculation zone; velocity profile and wall shear stress distribution. A recirculation zone and low wall shear stress were observed for both cases in the vicinity of the iliac bifurcation. These are believed to play an important role in the atherosclerosis lesions. Both Newtonian and non-Newtonian simulations in the vicinity of the iliac bifurcation presented minor differences. This study provides a better understanding of atherosclerosis development