Analysis of pulse wave propagation characteristics in abdominal aortic sclerosis disease

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a bidirectional fluid‒solid coupling finite element analysis model of the abdominal aorta was established with the use of vascular elastic modulus as the main indicator of atherosclerosis, in consideration of blood dynamic viscosity and compressibility, and pulse-wave propagation time-course calculations were carried out by the application of full-coupling analysis of the arbitrary Lagrangian‒Eulerian algorithm in COMSOL Multiphysics. The effect of atherosclerosis degree on the propagation characteristics of pulse waves in the bifurcated abdominal aorta was quantitatively analyzed. An increase in the modulus of elasticity of the arterial wall resulted in a considerable decrease in the peak pressure pulse wave, an increase in the pressure wave velocity, and a decrease in the axial wave velocity. Arterial bifurcation caused a substantial attenuation of the peak pressure pulse wave and an increase in wave velocity during the cardiac cycle. The modulus of elasticity and bifurcation properties of the arterial wall directly affected the peak value and wave velocity in the propagation of the pressure pulse wave. In addition, the stress concentration effect was evident at the bifurcation site, which was prone to the occurrence of lesions, such as arterial lumen stenosis, and the formation of arterial plaques. In conclusion, in atherosclerotic disease, the time course of pulse-wave propagation changes due to alterations in the geometry and material properties of the vessel wall. The preliminary results of this research will be crucial in guiding the evolution of the pressure pulse wave and the initial diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease through its waveform.