Early Atherosclerotic Changes in Coronary Arteries are Associated with Endothelium Shear Stress Contraction/Expansion Variability

• DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02829-5
• Publication Date: 2021-07-29T15:04:54Z
• Authors: Valentina Mazzi; Giuseppe De Nisco; Ayla Hoogendoorn; Karol Calò; Claudio Chiastra; Diego Gallo; David A. Steinman; Jolanda J. Wentzel; Umberto Morbiducci
• Keywords: Coronary arteries; Cardiac cycle; Coronary atherosclerosis

Abstract Although unphysiological wall shear stress (WSS) has become the consensus hemodynamic mechanism for coronary atherosclerosis, complex biomechanical stimulus affecting atherosclerosis evolution is still undetermined. This motivated interest on contraction/expansion action exerted by WSS endothelium, obtained through topological skeleton analysis. study tests ability of this feature, alone or combined with magnitude, to predict thickness (WT) longitudinal changes. Nine arteries hypercholesterolemic minipigs underwent imaging local WT measurement at three time points: baseline (T1), after 5.6 ± 0.9 (T2), and 7.6 2.5 (T3) months. Individualized computational simulations were performed T1 T2. The variability along cardiac cycle was quantified using variation index ( TSVI ). Alone combined, high low significantly co-localized same points significant predictors thickening later points. magnitude values in a physiological range appeared play an atheroprotective role. Both accounting different effects (1) are linked changes (2) concur identify features leading atherosclerosis.