Flow and Compression in Collapsible Asymmetric Stenosis Models of Arterial Disease

Abstract

Blood flow through the constricted area of a severe stenosis is similar to that through a venturi or flow nozzle. In the contraction section, the blood can accelerate to high speed. In this situation, the external pressure may be greater than the internal fluid pressure, and the artery could collapse. This collapse may be important in the development of atherosclerotic plaque fracture and subsequent thrombosis or distal embolization [1,2]. We used an asymmetric experimental model that closely approximates the arterial disease situation where the entire stenosis is compliant and the stenosis wall was not rigidly constrained. This study was to examine the relationships between flow rate, pressure and eccentricity of the stenosis inducing collapse under steady flow.