Influences of External Pressure on Flow and Deformation in Arterial Stenosis Model

Abstract

High-grade stenoses can limit blood flow and produce conditions in which an artery may collapse. The resultant compression may be important in the development of atherosclerotic plaque fracture and subsequent thrombosis or distal embolization. We have developed stenosis models made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, which closely approximate an arterial disease situation, and performed pulsatile flow experiments. Valsalva's maneuver and cough cause a sharp increase in jugular venous pressure to greater than 50 mmHg. Such transient pressure increases within the carotid sheath may augment the external pressure around the carotid artery. We applied external pressure to a stenosis model in two different forms and discussed the influences of external pressure on pulsatile flow and deformation in the stenosis model.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis
• stenosis
• plaque
• pulsatile flow
• biomechanics