Exploring arteriolar atherosclerosis: laminar blood flow across stenosis with fluid-structure interaction and gravitational effects

Abstract

In response to the unanswered relevant questions surrounding atherosclerosis, it becomes imperative to investigate arterioles using sophisticated mathematical modelling techniques to shed light on critical stress and strain patterns influenced by gravity. The primary objective of this study is to scrutinize flow characteristics and probe stress and strain distributions experienced by the intima layer of arterioles, encompassing coronary, renal, cerebral, mesenteric, and pulmonary arteries, under gravitational forces. This investigation employs a fluid-structure interaction methodology utilizing arbitrary Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation. The study delves into blood flow characteristics within coronary, renal, cerebral, mesenteric, and pulmonary arterioles using the fluid-structure interaction technique, employing an arbitrary Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation. It thoroughly examines various biomechanical parameters such as the Cauchy–Green stress tensor, Principal strain, Piola–Kirchoff stress tensor, deformation tensor, and volume strain along the intima layer under the gravitational influence, elucidating vulnerable regions prone to endothelial dysfunction. Higher values of δV are found at the left shoulder and in the intima’s post stenosis area due to the pressure gradient along the flow channel, whereas other intima regions show a null volume strain. A thorough understanding of stress distribution is essential to create focused therapies to lessen vascular health problems. The stress in the post-stenosis region seems to affect the endothelial layer to a significant extent.