Figure: Heart Attack and its effect on cardiac muscle
Steady
atherosclerotic buildup can lead to major dysfunctions of the heart. Coronary
Artery Disease is the general term for the buildup/hardening of the plaque
in the coronary arteries. Due to this, the heart muscle is not able to obtain
oxygenated blood, which it needs. This reduced and eventual cut-off of blood
to the heart muscle can lead to Angina (chest pain), Heart Attack, Arrhythmias
(distortion of normal rhythm of the heart), and Stroke.
Heart Attack is when a clot develops at the site of plaque accumulation and
can suddenly stop blood flow the heart. Cardiac Muscle cells begin to die
and this can lead to severe muscle failure. Stroke is when the brain cells
die of inadequate proper flow. 80% of cases are “schemic stroke”
which is the formation of a clot, due to lesions, supplying blood to the brain.
Atherosclerotic lesions significantly affect blood flow in the Coronary Artery. This slow accumulation of plaque on the walls of the artery can lead to Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, and Heart Attack. It is beneficial to apply Computational Fluid Dynamics, which is most commonly used for airplane and automobile aerodynamics, to treat this problem. Computational Flow simulation will show the critical forces affecting blood flow in the artery and their effect on the development of lesions. Qualitative comparisons can be made between the atherosclerotic and the normal coronary artery. By observing parameters that affect fluid flow (velocity, pressure, and shear stress), atherosclerotic lesions can be clearly defined. Fluid Dynamics can allow the mathematical analysis of the fluid flow in such conditions. By observing the streamlines, the paths of massless particles, conceptions of improved targeted drug delivery systems can be developed. Doctors also may be able to use the information from CFD Analysis to treat and diagnose patients, and possible ones, for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Figure: Heart Attack and its effect on cardiac muscle
Figure:Stroke and how it stops blood flow
Unfotunately, a condition known as atherosclerosis occurs in the endothelium walls of the artery . By observing the fluid flow in the coronary artery, with and without atherosclerosis, major differences can be pinpointed and the biological implications can be considered.
Figure: Plaque in the Coronary Arteries
Figure: Blood Flow
Figure: The Coronary Artery structure
The coronary artery serves its primary purpose as the main oxygen and nutrient rich blood provider to the heart. The heart requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to stay healthy. The coronary artery is divided into two main branches: the left and right coronary arteries. The one of interest in this project is the left coronary artery. This artery is further subdivided into two branches: the left anterior descending pipe, and the left circumflex.