Computational Investigation of the Stability of Stenotic Carotid Artery under Pulsatile Blood Flow Using a Fluid-Structure Interaction Approach

Abstract Background Stenosis can disrupt the normal pattern of blood flow, and thus make the artery more susceptible to buckling which may cause arterial tortuosity. Although the stability simulations of the atherosclerotic arteries were conducted based on solid modelling and static internal pressure, the mechanical stability of stenotic artery under pulsatile blood flow remains unclear while pulsatile nature of blood flow makes the artery more critical for stresses and stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stenosis on arterial stability under pulsatile blood flow. Methods To this end, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations of arteries stenosis under pulsatile flow were conducted. 3D idealized geometries of carotid arteries stenosis with symmetric and asymmetric plaques along with different percentages of stenosis were created. Arterial wall was modelled as an anisotropic hyperelasic material. Results It is observed that the stenosis percentage, symmetry/asymmetry of the plaque, and the stretch ratio can dramatically affect the buckling pressure. Buckling makes the plaque rupture (especially in asymmetric ones) more likely due to increasing the stresses on it. The dominant stresses on plaques are the circumferential, axial and radial ones, respectively. Also, the highest shear stresses on the plaques were detected in \theta -z and r-\theta planes for the symmetric and asymmetric stenotic arteries, respectively. In addition, the maximum circumferential stress on the plaques was observed in the outer point of the buckled configuration for symmetric and asymmetric stenosis as well as at the ends of the asymmetric plaque. Furthermore, the artery buckling caused a large vortex flow at the downstream of the plaque. As a result, the conditions for the penetration of lipid particles and the formation of new plaques were provided. Conclusion Buckling makes the plaque rupture more likely due to increasing the stresses on it especially in asymmetric plaques. In addition, the artery buckling provides the condition for the penetration of lipid particles and the formation of new plaques at the downstream of the plaque.