The Impact of the Right Coronary Artery Geometric Parameters on Hemodynamic Performance

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Ñelson Pinho (Author) FEUP; Luísa Costa Sousa (Author) FEUP; Catarina Castro (Author) FEUP; Carlos C. António (Author) FEUP; M. Carvalho (Author) Other; W. Ferreira (Author) Other; Ladeiras-Lopes R (Author) FMUP; N. D. Ferreira (Author) Other; P. Braga (Author) Other; N. Sousa (Author) FMUP; S.I.S. Pinto (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology

Vol. 10 No. 2

Pages: 257-270

ISSN: 1869-408X

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

Scopus - 21 Citations

INSPEC

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-J3R

DOI: 10.1007/s13239-019-00403-8

Abstract (EN): PurposeCoronary artery geometry can have a significant impact in the hemodynamic behavior of coronary blood flow, influencing atherosclerotic plaque formation. The present work focuses on, through a statistical study, the connection between several geometric parameters of the right coronary arteryostium cross-sectional area, angles between the common trunk and the side-branches, tortuosity, curvature and cross-sectional area in each side-branchand their influence on hemodynamic descriptors. Parameters such as low wall shear stress and local disturbed flow, which are associated with atherosclerosis formation, were analysed.MethodsComputed tomography images of ten healthy individuals were selected to reconstruct in vivo three-dimensional models of right coronary arteries. Blood flow was simulated through a compliant model with realistic boundary conditions. Calculated hemodynamic descriptors values were correlated with the geometric parameters using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and the p value.ResultsThe strongest correlations were found in the middle and distal segments of the right coronary artery. A decrease in the ostium area promotes a decrease in the WSS magnitude from the proximal to the distal segment (r=0.82). Very strong correlations (r>0.90) were achieved between geometric parameters (cross-sectional area, angle, tortuosity) of the right-ventricular branch and the wall shear stress magnitude in the middle and distal segments.ConclusionsLow values of tortuosity, smaller cross-sectional area and higher angle of the right-ventricular branch leads to a hemodynamic behavior more propitious to atherosclerosis formation, within the study cases. The right-ventricular branch seems to have the highest influence in the hemodynamic behavior of the right coronary artery.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14