Thermodiffusion effects on LDL deposition in a curved artery

In the atherosclerotic plaque formation process, LDL deposition through the wall plays a primary role. The multi-layer model, in which the heterogeneity of the arterial wall is taken into account by incorporating different layers, is the most robust and comprehensive approach. Recent research work has established that hyperthermia affects LDL profiles across the arterial wall mainly due to the Ludwig-Soret effect. In this work, hyperthermia effects on LDL deposition in a curved artery have been analyzed. Well-established thermophysical properties for each layer are taken from the literature. Mass, momentum, LDL concentration and energy equations are numerically solved for both lumen and the arterial wall with the latter modelled by volume-averaged porous media equations. LDL deposition and hyperthermia within the wall are coupled by a term in the concentration equation that takes into account the Ludwig-Soret effect. To validate our model comparisons with numerical and analytical solutions for isothermal straight and curved arteries are presented. Results show that radius of curvature of the artery has a relatively minor affect on LDL deposition with or without the presence of hyperthermia.