Integrative modeling of hemodynamic changes and perfusion impairment in coronary microvascular disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Coronary microvascular disease impairs cardiac perfusion and presents diagnostic/treatment challenges.
• Alterations in local hemodynamics characterize this pathology, making it a significant clinical problem.
• Current understanding of disease onset and progression remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel, noninvasive strategy for quantifying in vivo hemodynamic changes in the microvasculature.
• To develop a workflow for analyzing hemodynamic alterations in coronary microvascular disease.
• To establish a platform for multiscale analysis of multifactorial events in this condition.

Main Methods:

• Developed a hybrid additive manufacturing process for biocompatible, polytetrafluoroethylene microfluidic devices.
• Utilized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate hemodynamic changes.
• Combined in vitro microfluidic models with in silico simulations for analysis.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated microfluidic networks with circular cross-sections.
• Demonstrated the simulation of varying degrees of cardiac perfusion impairment.
• Validated the workflow as a robust platform for multiscale analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed workflow provides a robust platform for analyzing coronary microvascular disease.
• This approach enables the multiscale investigation of multifactorial events.
• Offers a new strategy for understanding and potentially treating microvascular dysfunction.