FSI SIMULATION OF A HEALTHY CORONARY BIFURCATION FOR STUDYING THE MECHANICAL STIMULI OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS UNDER DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a world-spread and well-known disease. This disease strongly relates to the endothelial cells (ECs) function. Normally, the endothelial cells align in the flow direction in the atheroprotected sites; however, in the case of atheroprone sites these cells orient randomly. The mechanical stimuli such as wall shear stress and strains could determine the morphology and function of the endothelial cells. In the present study, we numerically simulated the left main coronary artery (LCA) and its branches to left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex coronary (LCX) artery using fluid–structure interaction (FSI) modeling. The results were presented as longitudinal and circumferential strains of ECs as well as wall shear stress. Wide ranges of heart rate, cardiac motion, systolic and diastolic pressures were considered and their effects on mechanical stimuli were described in detail. The results showed that these factors could greatly influence the risk of atherosclerosis and the location of atherosclerotic lesions.