The effects of time-varying curvature on velocity profiles in a model of the coronary arteries

Abstract

Blood flow patterns in the coronary arteries are of interest due to their possible involvement in atherosclerosis localization. Spatial variations in hemodynamic flow patterns are predominantly determined by the vessel geometry. The coronary arteries represent a unique situation in the cardiovascular system because their geometry undergoes large dynamic variations during each cardiac cycle due to the contraction of the heart. This study was initiated to analyze the effects of time-varying curvature on flow vel…