Fluid dynamics of a partially collapsible stenosis in a flow model of the coronary circulation

The influence of passive vasomotion on the pressure drop-flow (delta P-Q) characteristics of a partially compliant stenosis was studied in an in vitro model of the coronary circulation. Twelve stenosis models of different severities (50 to 90 percent area reduction) and degrees of flexible wall (0 to 1/2 of the wall circumference) were inserted into thin-walled latex tubing and pressure and flow data were collected during simulated cardiac cycles. In general, the pressure drop increased with increasing fraction of flexible wall for a given flow rate and stenosis severity. The magnitude of this effect was directly dependent upon the underlying stenosis severity. The diastolic delta P-Q relationship of severe, compliant models exhibited features of partial collapse with an increase in pressure drop at a decreasing flow rate. It is concluded that passive vasomotion of a normal wall segment at an eccentric stenosis in response to periodic changes in intraluminal pressure causes dimensional changes in the residual lumen area which can strongly affect the hemodynamic characteristics of the stenosis during the cardiac cycle. This mechanism may have important implications for the onset of plaque fracture and the prediction of the functional significance of a coronary stenosis based on quantitative angiogram analysis.