Simulation of hemodynamic responses in stenosed arteries using Fourier-series cardiac inputs and quemada blood rheology

Irregular hemodynamic behavior in stenosed arteries plays a critical role in cardiovascular pathology. In the present study, the pulsatile cardiac cycle is represented using a Fourier-series formulation in order to accurately reproduce physiological inlet waveforms and examine the resulting non-Newtonian blood-flow dynamics. Experimental velocity waveforms obtained from Echo-Doppler measurements are fitted with combined sine–cosine Fourier expansions, providing a high-fidelity temporal description of the cardiac cycle. The governing Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a finite-volume framework together with the shear-dependent Quemada constitutive model, and simulations are performed for multiple degrees of arterial stenosis. The results demonstrate pronounced cycle-dependent variations in velocity distributions, Reynolds numbers and wall-shear-stress fields, revealing the complex hemodynamic alterations induced by the constriction. These findings underscore the importance of accurately resolving wall-shear-stress fluctuations associated with endothelial dysfunction, controlling peak flow velocities linked to transition and thrombotic risk, and characterizing post-stenotic recirculation that may compromise downstream perfusion. The Fourier-based inlet formulation provides a more realistic representation of physiological pulsation than simplified periodic approximations, enabling improved prediction of hemodynamic indicators relevant to disease progression and therapeutic assessment.