Analog Electrical Model of the Coronary Circulation in Case of Multiple Revascularizations

Abstract

In this work, we propose an analog electrical model of the coronary circulation for patients with obstructive disease undergoing revascularization. In this clinical situation, the collateral circulation to the occluded artery is difficult to ascertain via preoperative measurements and well-developed collaterals might induce long-term restenosis of the revascularized artery due to flow competition mechanisms. The proposed model allows an original biomechanical analysis of per-operative hemodynamic data in order to assess quantitative evaluation of pressures and flows inside the native stenosed arteries, the collateral network and the bypass grafts. Average cardiac cycle values are analysed. In the case of 3-vessel disease and chronic occlusion of the right coronary artery, the quantitative results confirm the protective effects of the collateral flows in the pathological situation, but also show that the revascularization of the occluded right artery is fully justified since the collateral flows remain low, even when the left territory is revascularized. The model thus provides a computational tool to evaluate therapeutic strategies for each patient.