Shear-induced migration of red blood cells in the abdominal aorta and thecarotid bifurcation : considerations on oxygen transport

• Shear-induced migration of red blood cells (RBCs) is a well known phenomenon characterizing blood flow in the small vessels (micron to mm size) of the cardiovascular system. In large vessels, like the abdominal aorta and the carotid artery (mm to cm size), the extent of this migration has not been fully elucidated. RBCs migration exerts its influence primarily on platelet concentration, oxygen transport and oxygen availability at the luminal surface; this being of primary importance in, for example, intra-luminal thrombus (ILT) growth, atherosclerosis and intima hyperplasia. Phillips’ shear-induced particle migration model coupled to the Quemada viscosity model was employed to simulate the macroscopic behavior of RBCs in four patient-specific geometries: a normal abdominal aorta, an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a normal carotid bifurcation and a stenotic carotid bifurcation. Simulations show a migration of RBCs from the near wall region with a lowering of wall hematocrit (volume fraction of RBCs) on the posterior side of the normal aorta and in the iliac arteries. A marked migration is observed on the outer wall of the carotid sinus, the inner curvature wall of the common carotid artery and in the carotid stenosis. No significant migration is observed in the AAA. The spatial and temporal patterns of wall hematocrit are correlated with the near-wall shear layer and with the secondary flow induced by the vessel curvature. The results reinforce data in literature showing a decrease in oxygen partial pressure on the inner curvature wall of the carotid sinus and, more in general, on the inner curvature wall. The lowering of wall hematocrit is postulated to induce a decrease in oxygen availability at the luminal surface through a diminished concentration of oxyhemoglobin, hence contributing, with the lowered oxygen partial pressure, to local hypoxia.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Annan maskinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Other Mechanical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

shear-induced migration

red blood cell

RBC

abdominal aorta

abdominal aortic aneurysm

AAA

carotid bifurcation

oxygen transport

hemoglobin

platelet

PLT

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)