Blood flow Velocity Profile in Rat Mesenteric Arterioles using Micro PIV : Comparison at Branch and Confluence

Abstract

A novel technique using particle image velocimetry (PIV) was developed to evaluate the detailed velocity profiles of red cells flowing in microvessels. Based on the digital high-speed video-microscopic images, detailed velocity profiles at branching and confluence arterioles were analyzed with 0.8μm in the spatial resolution and 1 msec in the time interval. At the branching arteriole, the centerline velocity of proximal vessel was decreased markedly near the apex, and the cross-sectional red cell velocity profile showed double peaks. However at a distal of confluence, the centerline velocity was not observed the incensement and the double peaks profile, as symmetric to the branching. These red cell flow profiles suggests that the shear-stress acting to the endothelium were much affected by the microvascular geometries.