Primary stenosis progression versus secondary stenosis formation in the left coronary bifurcation: A mechanical point of view

Publication date: Available online 29 November 2018Source: Biocybernetics and Biomedical EngineeringAuthor(s): Reza Jahromi, Hossein Ali Pakravan, Mohammad Said Saidi, Bahar FiroozabadiAbstractBiomechanical forces and hemodynamic factors influence the blood flow and the endothelial cells (ECs) morphology. These factors behave differently beyond the coronary artery stenosis. In the present study, unsteady blood flow in the left coronary artery (LCA) and its atherosclerotic bifurcating vessels, left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries, were numerically simulated to investigate the risk of plaque length development and secondary plaque formation in the post-stenotic areas. Using fluid–structure interaction (FSI) model, compliance of arterial wall and vessel curvature variations due to cardiac motion were considered. The arteries included plaques at the beginning of the bifurcation. Stenosis degree varied from 40% to 70% based on diameter reduction. Healthy coronary artery was also reconstructed to compare with the atherosclerotic arteries. Circumferential and longitudinal strains of ECs as well as wall shear stress (WSS) were computed in different locations downstream of the stenosis. It was concluded that the most critical regions experiencing low circumferential strain and low WSS were located proximal to the plaque throat, and the effects of these parameters intensified by stenosis degree. The results proposed that primary plaque length progression ...
Source: Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering - Category: Biomedical Engineering Source Type: research