Arterial hemodynamics and wall mechanics

Arterial hemodynamics and wall mechanics are important considerations for the vascular clinician for a number of reasons. Hemodynamics and wall mechanics both have been shown to be affecters of disease formation. It is important for the practicing vascular surgeon to know how disease affects both blood flow and wall mechanics and to understand the consequence of hemodynamics on arterial reconstructions. In this article, we summarize the basic concepts of arterial hemodynamics and wall mechanics as they relate to the development of arterial pathology. A few practical mathematical relationships and examples are provided for both illustration and utilization. We also discuss the use of computer models for the estimation of wall stresses in individual abdominal aortic aneurysms.