Blood velocity field numerical assessment using a GPL code in case of intravascular Doppler catheter affections: comparative analysis of different rheological models.

Abstract

In the use of intravascular Doppler catheters, one of the most common techniques to study the coronary arteries, the velocity field measured is partially affected by the presence of the catheter itself inside the blood vessel. It is therefore fundamental to quantify the nature of this disturbance. This paper treats a numerical investigation of the problem considering the hypothesis of blood as a Newtonian, Cassonian and Power Law fluid, comparing the results. The code used for numerical simulation is a General Public License Finite Element code denominated TOCHNOG. The results obtained, realistic within the terms explained in the text, provide an insight in the rheological characterisation of blood flow.