Molecular viscosity in the normal left coronary arterial tree. Is it related to atherosclerosis?

The purpose of this study is to elucidate, probably for the first time, the distribution of molecular viscosity in the entire left coronary artery (LCA) tree. The governing mass, momentum, and energy flow equations were solved by using a previously validated 3-dimensional numerical (finite-element analysis) code. High-molecular-viscosity regions occur at bifurcations in regions opposite the flow dividers, which are anatomic sites predisposed for atherosclerotic development. Furthermore, high-molecular-viscosity values appear in the proximal regions of the LCA tree, where atherosclerosis frequently occurs. The effect of blood flow resistance, due to increased blood viscosity, gives rise to increased contact time between the atherogenic particles of the blood and the endothelium, probably promoting atherosclerosis. Observations suggest that, whole viscosity distribution within the coronary artery tree may represent a risk factor for the resulting atherosclerosis. This distribution can become a possible tool for the location of atherosclerotic lesions.