Biomechanical Forces and Atherosclerosis: From Mechanism to Diagnosis and Treatment

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis involves complex biological and physical processes.
• Vascular homeostasis is crucial for cardiovascular health.
• Biomechanical forces are increasingly recognized as key players in vascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of biomechanical forces in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
• To explain mechanosensing and mechanotransduction in the vasculature.
• To discuss the clinical assessment and therapeutic modulation of biomechanical factors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current research on biomechanics and atherosclerosis.
• Explanation of cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways.
• Analysis of clinical data and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Biomechanical forces, including wall shear stress and circumferential wall stress, impact plaque initiation, progression, and destabilization.
• Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction are critical for vascular adaptation and disease.
• Clinical assessment of biomechanical factors is feasible and holds significant clinical relevance.

Conclusions:

• Biomechanical forces are integral to atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
• Targeting biomechanical forces presents promising therapeutic avenues.
• Further research into clinical applications of biomechanical insights is warranted.