Obtaining vortex formation in vessel with stenosis by ultrasonic echolocation: experimental research and computer simulation

Abstract This article investigates the characteristics of vortex formation in a model vessel similar to a coronary artery. To assess the characteristics of the vortex zones, a one-component mathematical model was proposed, and a parametric study was conducted based on the theory of dynamic similarity. The validity and applicability of the developed mathematical model were confirmed by comparing the results of numerical simulations with ultrasound data. The applicability of the dynamic similarity theory has been experimentally and theoretically substantiated: the deviation of the calculated values of the dimensionless criterion defining the relative length of the recirculation zone ( $$\xi$$ ξ ) from empirical data does not exceed 10%, which corresponds to the accuracy for CFD models. Thus, it is shown that Re is a good similarity criterion between the experimental setup and the mathematical model. A quantitative assessment of the influence of the rheological properties of the model medium on the size of vortex structures has been carried out: an increase in the viscous properties and density of the medium leads to a pronounced change in the geometry and size of the recirculation area. In the conditions of microscale systems, the revealed differences can reach 70%. The results obtained confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach for the analysis of complex hemodynamic phenomena.