Numerical Study of the Effect of Left Coronary Artery Stenosis on Vascular Tissue Oxygenation

Cellular metabolism is strongly dependent on the sufficient and continuous supply of oxygen. Cellular oxygenation is performed by blood flow. Blood flow and oxygen delivery to cells can be influenced under several conditions such as arterial stenosis. In the present study, the oxygen delivery to the arterial wall of a precise model of the Main Left Coronary artery (LM) and its two main branches for normal artery and stenosis degrees of 75% and 84% is numerically investigated. For all simulations it is assumed that the flow is steady, blood is Newtonian, and the arterial wall is rigid. Transported oxygen by hemoglobin as well as oxygen consumption in the vessel wall are considered for determining the oxygen content in the vascular tissue. The results of oxygen concentration in the lumen and vascular tissue is validated with a benchmark study. The results indicate that, centrifugal forces and secondary flow are formed due to curvature and results in a significant reduction in the mass transfer of oxygen to the myocardial wall relative to the epicardial one. Arterial stenosis results in areas of low oxygen concentration with 3-4 mmHg less than normal artery, that increase the likelihood of hypoxia in these areas. Finally, the results show that 12.8% reduction in P50 does not have a significant effect on the oxygen concentration in the lumen and vascular tissue.