Correlation of 3-D coronary arterial geometry and histopathology

The localization of atherosclerosis, the progressive thickening and stiffening of arterial vessels is assumed to be influenced by hemodynamic mechanisms. Most hemodynamic mechanisms are influenced by local vascular geometry. Hence, the presence of such geometric factors promote an adverse hemodynamic environment at the vessel wall resulting to histopathological changes in the vessels and subsequent atherosclerosis. In the present work, the geometric risk factor hypothesis is tested by examining the relationship between coronary arterial geometry and tissue pathology in human hearts obtained at autopsy. Left coronary arteries were used for initial study because of their clinical significance. The focus is on the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), the left circumferential artery (LCX), and the first two major branches of the LAD. Significant relationships between coronary arterial morphology and geometry are demonstrated.

Duke Scholars

Author Morton Friedman Biomedical Engineering