Fluid–structure interaction analysis of turbulent pulsatile flow within a layered aortic wall as related to aortic dissection

Abstract Turbulent pulsatile flow and wall mechanics were studied numerically in an axisymmetric three-layered wall model of a descending aorta. The transport equations were solved using the finite element formulation based on the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. A fully-coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis was utilized in this investigation. We calculated Von Mises wall stress, streamlines and fluid pressure contours. The findings of this study show that peak wall stress and maximum shear stress are highest in the media layer. The difference in the elastic properties of contiguous layers of the wall of the aorta probably determines the occurrence of dissection in the media layer. Moreover, the presence of aortic intramural hematoma is found to have a significant effect on the peak wall stress acting on the inner layer.