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Wall shear stress in normal left coronary artery tree
Johannes V Soulis1, Thomas M Farmakis, George D Giannoglou
11st Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Fluid Mechanics, 1 S. Kyriakidi Str, 54637 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Journal of Biomechanics
|January 28, 2006
Summary
Low wall shear stress (WSS) in the human left coronary artery (LCA) tree, particularly at bifurcations, is linked to atherosclerosis development. This study maps WSS distribution, revealing low WSS in areas prone to plaque buildup.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular biomechanics
- Medical imaging and modeling
Background:
- Wall shear stress (WSS) is a known factor in atherosclerosis.
- The WSS distribution across the entire normal human left coronary artery (LCA) tree remains unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the WSS topography in the entire normal human epicardial LCA tree.
- To analyze spatial WSS differentiation between proximal and distal LCA segments.
- To verify the role of WSS in atherosclerosis mechanisms through hemodynamic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a 3D computer model of the human epicardial LCA tree using angiography data.
- Applied finite-element analysis to Navier-Stokes equations for blood flow (non-Newtonian fluid).
- Included major branches: left main coronary artery (LMCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex artery (LCxA).
Main Results:
- Identified low WSS in proximal LCA regions, where atherosclerosis commonly occurs.
- Observed low WSS at bifurcations, opposite flow dividers, correlating with predisposed atherosclerotic sites.
- Measured dominant low WSS (0.75–2.25 N/m²) at the LMCA bifurcation and high WSS at flow dividers.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first detailed WSS topography of the entire normal human epicardial LCA tree.
- Demonstrated spatial WSS differences between proximal and distal LCA segments.
- Hemodynamic analysis reinforces the link between WSS patterns and atherosclerosis initiation.