GEOMETRIC RISK FACTORS FOR ARTERIOSCLEROSIS.

It has been known for some time that the rate of developement of cardiovascular disease varies among individuals. It is proposed that some of this unexplained variability is due to corresponding variations in the detailed geometry of susceptible arterial segments. The vascular geometry indirectly affects the disease process through its influence on the fluid mechanical environment of the inner lining of the artery where the disease begins. Geometric features that promote harmful stresses on the wall can be regarded as 'geometric risk factors. ' This paper describes the results of two protocols that have been implemented to identify such risk factors: the first examines the response of the vessel wall to its fluid dynamic environment, and the second addresses the sensitivity of fluid mechanical stress to normal variations in arterial geometry.

Duke Scholars

Author Morton Friedman Biomedical Engineering