Hypo-and hyperthermia effects on LDL deposition in a curved artery

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) deposition within the walls of an artery causes the growth of an atherosclerotic plaque, which can cause serious health issues. Various physical phenomena affect this aspect, for example, induced temperature gradients, which cause particle movement due to thermodiffusion. In this work, the effects of hypo-and hyperthermia on a curved artery are investigated. The heat source/sink is applied from the interior side of the artery (the lumen side). The curvature effect of the artery is taken into account through variation of the arterial curvature ratio, while a multilayer model that takes into account the heterogeneity of various layers represents the wall. Navier–Stokes and convection–diffusion equations are employed for the LDL transport through the lumen, while Darcy–Brinkman, Staverman–Kedem–Katchalsky with a reaction term, and the energy equation are used to study the wall layers. Results are presented for shear rates, temperature, and LDL profiles. It is shown that the artery curvature has a negligible effect on LDL deposition when a heat source/sink, under hypo-or hyperthermia conditions is applied from the lumen side.