Finite Element Modeling and Simulation of Arteries in the Human Arm to Study the Aortic Pulse Wave Propagation

Finite modelling and simulation of the arterial network in the human arm has been presented in this paper with an objective to study the aortic pulse wave propagation. In the biomedical domain, it becomes extremely essential to understand the propagation of the aortic pulse along the arterial network, to get a better insight about the functioning of the cardiovascular system. This would assist in haemodynamic measurements, diagnosing disorders and visualizing the effect of medical treatment. The fluid structure interaction has been simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.4 with an objective to obtain the pressure, velocity profile of the aortic pulse and wall shear stresses at the ascending aorta, carotid, brachial, interosseous, ulnar and radial artery. The arterial walls are considered flexible and pulsatile pressure pulse has been used as boundary condition. The validity of the finite element simulation has been supported by comparing the numerical results to the standard published results.