Hsi-Jen Chiang, Heng-Jui Hsu, Keng-Liang Ou, Han-Yi Cheng
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of stenoses on the flow vector and vascular wall stress using angiographic examination and threedimensional (3-D) computer-aided analysis. Nine volunteers with stenoses in hearts and arms were enrolled, and three volunteers were enrolled as the control group. In total, nine 3-D artery models were reconstructed from magnetic resonance images to simulate blood hemodynamic behaviors. Several studies have employed 3-D finite element artery models, but few have examined the effects of hemodynamic behavior in arteries with the stenoses. The results showed that stenoses decreased the blood flow velocity by approximately 40% and confirmed that stenoses also induce abnormal stress where the vessel wall is thinnest. The results of the computer-aided model flow vectors are similar to, but smaller than, those from the angiographic examination. As described above, the present study provides information regarding stenoses for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
