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Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
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Wall Shear Stress Alteration: a Local Risk Factor of Atherosclerosis

Malik J1, Novakova L2, Valerianova A3

  • 1Third Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. jan.malik@vfn.cz.

Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|January 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Wall shear stress, the force of blood flow on artery walls, is crucial in atherosclerosis development. Low or oscillating stress promotes plaque, while high stress destabilizes existing plaques.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Wall shear stress (WSS) is the frictional force exerted by flowing blood on the endothelial lining of arteries.
  • Understanding WSS is critical for comprehending vascular health and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted role of WSS in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
  • To explore the impact of WSS on plaque development and destabilization.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current research on WSS dynamics in various arterial regions.
  • It integrates findings from in vitro, in vivo, and computational modeling studies.

Main Results:

  • Chronically low or oscillating WSS is strongly associated with atherosclerotic plaque initiation, particularly at arterial bifurcations and arches.
  • High WSS, observed at stenotic shoulders, contributes significantly to plaque rupture and complications.
  • Altered WSS patterns are implicated in disease states even in otherwise healthy arterial segments.

Conclusions:

  • WSS is a key biomechanical factor driving atherosclerosis development and complications.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between WSS and other factors in atherogenesis.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial dilatationCarotid atherosclerosisEndotheliumWall shear stress

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