Non-Newtonian flow patterns associated with an arterial stenosis.

A non-Newtonian constitutive equation for blood has been introduced in this paper. Using this equation, blood flow attributes such as velocity profiles, flowrate, pressure gradient, and wall shear stress in both straight and stenotic (constricted) tubes have been examined. Results showed that compared with Newtonian flow at the same flowrate, the non-Newtonian normally features larger pressure gradient, higher wall shear stress, and different velocity profile, especially in stenotic tube. In addition, the non-Newtonian stenotic flow appears to be more stable than Newtonian flow.