Aneurysm geometric features effect on the hemodynamic characteristics of blood flow in coronary artery: CFD...

The main purpose of the present numerical study is to evaluate the influences of aneurysm geometric features on the hemodynamic conditions within the left coronary arteries (LCA). Simulations have been conducted in two major parts: Section (I) encompassing three different cases (case 1, case 2, and case 3), in which three various sizes of the bifurcation region ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) were considered for each case, and Section (II) also consists of three distinct cases (case 4, case 5, and case 6) which two different positions (P₁ and P₂; proximal and distal to the main bifurcation, respectively) were taken into account for a fusiform aneurysm located on their left circumflex branch. Prediction and assessment of the correlation between morphological characteristics of an aneurysm with atherosclerosis and thrombosis were performed using quantitative and qualitative results including streamline and velocity contours, wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index, and relative residence time. Depending on the various cases, the time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) of the bifurcation region for models of [Formula: see text] was nearly 18-24% fewer than [Formula: see text], and around 74-81% fewer than intact models. Moreover, the smaller size of the LCA dilation results in less flow recirculation and, accordingly, the lower risk of blood clotting. Additionally, the TAWSS of the aneurysm in the P₁ model of case 4 was found 16.4% lower than in P₂; however, the values for P₁ models of case 5 and case 6 were higher than in P₂ by close to 16.3% and 12.5%, respectively. Furthermore, it was concluded that the intricate geometry of LCAs, especially pre-aneurysm curvatures, have remarkable effects on the hemodynamics within the aneurysms. Even though a limited number of cases were used in this study, due to the scarcity of similar works, the outcomes of this computational evaluation can positively contribute to clinical decision-making in the assessment of coronary aneurysms.