Low-density lipoprotein transport within a multi-layered arterial wall—Effect of the atherosclerotic plaque/stenosis

Abstract

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transport while incorporating the thickening of the arterial wall and cholesterol lipid accumulation is analyzed. A multi-layered model is adopted to represent the heterogeneity using the Darcy–Brinkman and Staverman filtration equations to describe transport within the porous layers of the wall. The fiber matrix model is utilized to represent the cholesterol lipid accumulation and the resulting variable properties. The impact of atherosclerotic wall thickening is shown to be negligible in the axial direction, but is found to be considerable in the radial direction within intima. The reference values of intima's porosity and effective fiber radius are obtained through the fiber matrix model, which characterizes the microstructure within the intima. Transport through dysfunctional endothelium and fibrous cap, and the impact on hydraulic and molecular transport properties by LDL accumulation in a thickened arterial wall is analyzed. The effect of variable properties on plasma and LDL molecular transport is also discussed.