Abstract
Vein graft is commonly used to replace malfunctioned arteries. However, intimal hyperplasia (IH) and re-stenosis often occur after surgery leading to serious clinical problems. A multi-physics computational model with tube wall growth and fluid–structure interactions and an iterative mixed method using finite volume, generalized finite difference and finite elements are introduced to simulate focal intimal hyperplasia and blood flow in rat abdominal artery with a vein graft. Physical parameters and physiological geometries from in vivo experimental data are used in model development and verifications. Our results indicate that the mismatches in geometry and mechanical properties between the host artery and the vein graft cause considerable disturbance in flow shear stress, eddy flow, tube wall deformation, and tensile stress/strain distributions. Focal intimal hyperplasia and re-stenosis process are closely related to eddy flow and low and oscillating shear stresses. A constitutive growth function which governs the IH growth is quantified based on experimental data and computational simulations. Further investigation of effects of other factors such as tensile stress and various cell interactions is needed to fully understand IH growth and re-stenosis process.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.