Biomechanical Mechanisms and Hemodynamics in the Case of Stenosis

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to investigate the blood flow of the artery with stenosis using finite element method. Three-dimensional 3-D artery models were reconstructed to simulate blood hemodynamic behaviors from magnetic resonance images. Many papers have studied 3-D finite element artery models, but few have examined the effects of different stenosis thicknesses in arteries. It is imperative to incorporate the mechanical properties of a diseased artery segment into treatment planning because stress is a strong biological trigger that directs atherosclerosis protection. Stress may also have predictive value to pinpoint regions at risk for restenosis. The results showed that stenosis of a 1 mm thickness decreased the blood flow velocity about 48%. This confirmed that stenosis also induces abnormal stress in the narrowest position of a vascular wall. This research provides information for arteries with stenosis in clinical treatment.