Fluid–Structure Interaction Analysis of Hemodynamics and Plaque Vulnerability in a Stenosed Carotid Artery

The carotid arteries deliver oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain, and atherosclerotic plaque formation within them can narrow the lumen, diminish cerebral perfusion, and significantly increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Understanding the mechanical and hemodynamic alterations induced by stenosis is therefore critical for assessing disease progression and stroke vulnerability. In this study, the hemodynamics of a healthy carotid artery and a ۴۵% stenosed counterpart are investigated using a fully coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) framework capable of capturing the interplay between pulsatile blood flow and arterial wall deformation. Hemodynamic metrics including wall shear stress (WSS), velocity distribution, and vorticity were quantified to assess the impact of stenosis. Blood was modeled as a Newtonian fluid, and the arterial wall was represented as a linear, isotropic elastic material. An asymmetric plaque producing a ۴۵% lumen occlusion was incorporated into the carotid bulb for the stenosed configuration. Simulation results show that the stenosis reduces the internal carotid artery (ICA) mass flow rate by ۵.۰۲%, while diverting flow and increasing the external carotid artery (ECA) mass flow rate by ۱۳.۲۲%. Low WSS regions observed during both systole and diastole indicate zones susceptible to plaque initiation, whereas localized peaks in WSS at the plaque tip suggest potential rupture sites. Furthermore, a predictive framework for identifying plaque prone regions is established by jointly analyzing WSS and vorticity fields, demonstrating that areas characterized by low WSS and extensive vorticity are most conducive to LDL accumulation and plaque development.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carotid artery stenosis ، Fluid–structure interaction ، Wall shear stress ، Vorticity