Predictions of the Extent of Renal Artery Stenosis in the Context of Rise in Blood Pressure

It is customary that in a closed system, obstruction in the flow tube produce rise of pressure at the flow source. Hypertension in the human body is a similar representation of such blockages. Considering representative symmetric stenoses in Renal artery, the steady state 2-D blood flow and pressure distributions as well as fluid shear stresses due to stenoses were numerically analyzed. Two CFD analyses (water and Blood) and one experimental analysis (water) have been carried out to investigate the effect of blockage on the rise of pressure at the inlet of the flow tube. The main objective of this investigation is to establish a finite element method (FEM) based mathematical relationship between raise in blood pressure and the extent of Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS). The quantification models developed from the computational/mathematical results provide simpler and economical diagnostic information to the health care professionals. Further course of action can be decided based on the interpretations of this information. Preliminary verifications are promising, however it remains to be seen whether the developed quantification model, comply and cater to the requirement of the physiological predictions of RAS on the basis of rise in measured blood pressure.