Use of Allometric Scales for Numerical Study of Coronary Arteries Hemodynamics
摘要
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD), accounts for a significant portion of global mortality, with approximately 38 million deaths annually. In Brazil alone, coronary artery disease (CAD), a type of CVD, resulted in about 2.5 million deaths in 2017, posing a considerable public health concern. CAD arises from atherosclerosis, an inflammatory process initiated by the accumulation of fat on vessel walls. Factors such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking exacerbate this process, leading to endothelial dysfunction and potentially causing infarctions and thrombi formation. Wall shear stress (WSS), a key factor influenced by blood-vessel wall friction interactions, plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis development. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) offers a promising approach to analyze coronary artery hemodynamics and predict atherosclerosis-prone areas. Therefore, the main objective of this paper was to assess various boundary condition strategies and establish a standardized methodology for CFD simulations, providing essential hemodynamic indicators related to atherosclerosis and distal blood supply. The analysis compared three strategies to define the boundary condition. Case 2 closely aligned with estimated values, particularly on the right side, while Case 1 exhibited significant discrepancies. Case 3 showed high discrepancies and was suitable for coronary artery simulation. In the left coronary, Case 3 exhibited high Wall Shear Stress (WSS) values, while Cases 1 and 2 showed potential susceptibility to atherosclerosis. The bifurcation between outlets 5 and 6 consistently indicated possible plaque deposition sites. Similar findings were observed in the right coronary, with Case 3 showing significant deviations. Regions with a high likelihood of atherosclerosis were identified, suggesting specific areas prone to plaque deposition. Case 2 strategy demonstrated superior performance for numerical simulation, offering a more realistic distribution of blood flow physiology in coronary arteries.