World J Vasc Surg | Volume 1, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

The Role of Biomechanics in the Assessment of Carotid Atherosclerosis Severity: A Numerical Approach

Lina Zouggari1,2*, Benyebka Bou-said2, Francesco Massi1, Antonio Culla1 and Antoine Millon3

1Department of Applied Mechanics Engineering DIMA, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
2Laboratory of Contacts and Structure Mechanics LAMCOS, INSA de Lyon, France
3Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, France

*Correspondance to: Lina Zouggari 

Fulltext PDF

Abstract

Numerical fluid biomechanics has been proved to be an efficient tool for understanding vascular diseases including atherosclerosis. There are many evidences that atherosclerosis plaque formation and rupture are associated with blood flow behavior. In fact, zones of low wall shear stress are vivid areas of proliferation of atherosclerosis, and in particular, in the carotid artery. In this paper a model is presented for investigating how the presence of the plaque influences the distribution of the wall shear stress. In complement to a first approach with rigid walls, an FSI model is developed as well to simulate the coupling between the blood flow and the carotid artery deformation. The results show that the presence of the plaque causes an attenuation of the WSS in the after-plaque region as well as the emergence of recirculation areas.

Keywords:

FSI; CFD; Carotid; Atherosclerosis

Citation:

Zouggari L, Bou-said B, Massi F, Culla A, Millon A. The Role of Biomechanics in the Assessment of Carotid Atherosclerosis Severity: A Numerical Approach. World J Vasc Surg. 2018; 1(1): 1007.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter