Modelling and Analysis of Normal and Atherosclerotic Blood Vessel Mechanics Using 3D Finite Element Models

In order to prevent, diagnose and treat vascular disease, detailed knowledge of blood vessel mechanics is essential. In this work, 3D finite element models of normal vessel and atherosclerotic vessel with 50% and 90% plaque deposition were developed. The developed models were meshed with tetrahedral elements using the Delaunay triangulation method and were simulated using actual blood pressure signals. Based on the transient analysis performed on the developed models, the parameters such as strain energy density and entropy per unit volume were obtained. Results demonstrate that an inverse relation exists between the considered mechanical parameters and the percentage of plaque deposited on the inner vessel wall. It was observed that the parameters decrease linearly with increasing plaque percentage. In this paper, the objectives of the study, the methodology and significant observations are discussed in detail.