Estimation of Reynolds shear stresses during pulsatile flow in the region of aortic valves.

Some investigators have attempted to estimate the Reynolds shear stress on the basis of a single component of velocity. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the validity of such estimates in a complex flow field, such as occurs in the cardiovascular system in the region of the aortic valve. Turbulent velocities were obtained in an in vitro pulse duplicating system with a two-channel laser Doppler anemometer. Velocities were measured in the region of two stenotic natural aortic valves and a normal stent mounted porcine bioprosthetic valve. Constants of proportionality between the Reynolds shear stress, averaged over ejection, and the Reynolds normal stress were determined. The constants of proportionality depended upon the local conditions, namely, whether the valves were stenotic or normal bioprosthetic. There was wide scatter of data. This suggests that any estimate of the Reynolds shear stress, based upon a single axial velocity in a complex flow field, such as occurs in the cardiovascular system, is likely to be inaccurate.