Numerical simulation of flow oscillations in stenotic arterial segment

The hypothesis that stenosis-induced flow disturbances may be the cause of vascular sounds was investigated. The onset of flow oscillations in a vesse l with a severe constriction was simulated by a computer model based on the axi-symmetric Navier-Stokes equations. Model includes fluid non-linear ine rtial forces, viscoelastic wall motion, anatomical taper and proximal and d istal circulation. Self-excited flow oscillations with different oscillator y patterns were reproduced. A common characteristic of such flow oscillatio ns was a high-frequency component in the audible band (100-500 Hz). Numeric al results support the hypothesis that vascular sounds may be generated by high-frequency flow oscillations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.