SIMULATION OF NON-NEWTONIAN BLOOD-FLOW IN AN END-TO-SIDE ANASTOMOSIS

In order to quantify-the importance of non-Newtonian blood theology on anastomotic flow patterns, the characteristics of Newtonian and non-N ewtonian blood flows were compared in a 2-D, 45 degrees end-to-side an astomosis model under both steady and unsteady flow conditions. All fl ows were assumed to be two-dimensional, and were simulated numerically using parameters consistent with blood flow in the femoral artery. A novel, purely viscous constitutive relation, based on a generalized fo rm of the power law relation, was developed to model the non-Newtonian theology of blood. The resulting wall shear stress patterns indicate that for the parameter values under consideration, non-Newtonian blood theology has a significant effect on steady flow wall shear stresses, but no significant effect on unsteady flow wall shear stresses. Based on these and other simulations, a parameter is formulated that gives an indication of the importance of non-Newtonian blood theology under a given set of flow conditions. Is addition, an argument is presented for allowing the conclusions from this two-dimensional study to be ext ended to three-dimensional blood flow.