Hemodynamics and contact simulation investigation of coronary artery stents after interventional surgery

Abstract

Objective.Interventional therapy represents a primary treatment modality for moderate to severe coronary atherosclerosis. However, potential complications following stent implantation can pose significant risks to patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between aberrant hemodynamic patterns and the incidence of post-stent implantation complications.Approach.By creating models of three distinct types of coronary artery stents and utilizing clinical fractional flow reserve data, this research employs fluid-structure interaction analyses to simulate the hemodynamic alterations and vascular wall responses post-stent implantation.Main results.It is indicated that implantation of stents can induce complex hemodynamic modifications in the vicinity of the stent, particularly at the juncture where the stent contacts the vascular wall. While the hemodynamic profiles of the three stent types exhibit general consistency, distinctions in local hemodynamics arise from the varied pore densities inherent to each stent design. Notably, the B-type stent, characterized by their moderate pore density, demonstrates comparatively stable hemodynamics relative to the other stent types. Additionally, stent implantation impacts areas of the vascular wall not covered by the stent, with notable hemodynamic changes also manifesting in these regions.Significance.The implantation of stents has a significant impact on the hemodynamics inside the blood vessels. Specifically, abnormal hemodynamic changes near the stents can inflict damage to the blood vessel wall, thus accelerating the occurrence of complications. Moreover, the hemodynamic changes elicited by different stents vary significantly, and it has been observed that stents with moderate grid spacing exhibit superior performance in mitigating adverse hemodynamic effects.

Keywords: coronary atherosclerosis; fluid-structure interaction; hemodynamics; stent implantation.