A coupling model for macromolecule transport in a stenosed arterial wall

Abstract

A mathematical model is developed for the coupled analysis of the transport of macromolecules, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL), in the blood stream and in the arterial walls. The advection–diffusion equations in porous media are used to model the species field in the arterial wall layers. The physical parameters needed are computed based on the available data from in vivo and in vitro measurements. The computed parameters are compared to those provided by other models and the differences are discussed. The advantage of the current model is that its set up is based on in vivo/vitro measurements and the calculated exact solutions of concentration field, leading to more reliable results. The model is used to simulate the LDL transport in a stenosed artery with various area reductions and stenosis numbers. The effects of hypertension and geometrical variation on the LDL accumulation within the wall are studied and discussed. This work provides essential information for studying atherogenesis.