Numerical modelling of blood rheology and platelet activation through a stenosed left coronary artery bifurcation

David G. Owen*, Diana C. de Oliveira, Emma K. Neale, Duncan E.T. Shepherd, Daniel M. Espino

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Coronary bifurcations are prone to atherosclerotic plaque growth, experiencing regions of reduced wall shear stress (WSS) and increased platelet adhesion. This study compares effects across different rheological approaches on hemodynamics, combined with a shear stress exposure history model of platelets within a stenosed porcine bifurcation. Simulations used both single/multiphase blood models to determine which approach best predicts phenomena associated with atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. A novel Lagrangian platelet tracking model was used to evaluate residence time and shear history of platelets indicating likely regions of thrombus formation. Results show a decrease in area of regions with pathologically low time-averaged WSS with the use of multiphase models, particularly in a stenotic bifurcation. Significant non-Newtonian effects were observed due to low-shear and varying hematocrit levels found on the outer walls of the bifurcation and distal to the stenosis. Platelet residence time increased 11% in the stenosed artery, with exposure times to low-shear sufficient for red blood cell aggregation (>1.5 s). increasing the risk of thrombosis. This shows stenotic artery hemodynamics are inherently non-Newtonian and multiphase, with variations in hematocrit (0.163–0.617) and elevated vorticity distal to stenosis (+15%) impairing the function of the endothelium via reduced time-averaged WSS regions, rheological properties and platelet activation/adhesion.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0259196
Number of pages26
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume16
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Owen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Coronary Stenosis/blood
  • Coronary Vessels/physiopathology
  • Hemodynamics
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Platelet Activation
  • Rheology
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Swine

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