Pulsatile bloodflow using incompressible newtonian fluid is investigat
ed numerically in abdominal aortic aneurysm models with the aid of tra
nsient Navier-Stokes equations for axisymmetric geometry. The arterial
wall is assumed to be rigid. The actual arterial pressure-velocity pu
lse at the abdominal aorta is used as the inlet boundary condition to
the aneurysm. The corresponding velocity at every time-step is assumed
to be fully developed parabolic profile at the inlet. Time-dependent
formation of vortices and occurrence of stagnation zones are analyzed
in this numerical study. It has been found that the distal end of the
aneurysm is subjected to maximum shear stress and pressure during the
entire cycle. This analysis also confirms that the mechanical forces o
n the arterial wall, developed by the blood flow which is pulsatile in
nature, may play an important role in both development and growth of
aneurysms. It has also been found that a quasi-steady state may be use
d to explain sufficiently the basic flow characteristic within the ane
urysm. The wall shear stress in the quasi-steady state at the distal e
nd of the aneurysm during the most adverse condition was approximately
the same as in the pulsatile state for a similar situation. (C) 1997
IPEM. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.