Computational simulation of the effects of blood flow velocity on atherosclerosis progression in a human carotid artery
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
Background
Atherosclerosis is a build-up of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the
channels of blood vessels. This occludes the vessels and, occurring in
the carotid arteries, portends conditions that favour stroke. This work
is an attempt to mathematically represent the physiological process of
atherosclerosis caused by plaques on the walls of the human arteries.
Aim
Provide insight into the effect of blood flow velocity on wall shear
stress and its implications on atherosclerosis progression in a human
carotid artery via computational simulation.
Methods
The effect of blood velocity on plaque growth and progression is
simulated using COMSOL multi-physics. The human carotid was
modeled in 2-D with Stokes law for model flow. The simulation began
with a plaque-free vessel with velocities of 30 m/s – 125 m/s.
Results
Results showed that the rate of plaque initiation dropped as the blood
velocity increased from 30 m/s to 125 m/s; higher inlet velocities gave
lower plaque growth; the highest degree of 30% stenosis was
recorded at a blood velocity of 30 m/s. Plaque height significantly
affects the Plaque wall Stress, PWS, and its distribution around the
plaque and arterial wall; higher plaque heights experience higher velocity distribution around the plaque, causing a higher force
associated with blood flow around the plaque, resulting in higher
compression stress. More compressional stresses are localized
around the root, which would encourage growth as well as possible
rupture at higher velocities. These ruptured plaques potentially
narrow or block the arteries and prevent blood flow. This is
atherosclerosis and can lead to a heart attack.
Conclusion
Results from this study can find significant use in the understanding,
management, and treatment of atherosclerosis since the regulation of
blood velocity and pressure plays a major role in the progress of
atherosclerosis in the carotid artery which raises the risk of stroke.
Keywords
Q Science (General), R Medicine (General), TP Chemical technology