Integrated Stent Models Based on Dimension Reduction: Review and Future Perspectives

In-silico analysis of hemodynamic indicators in idealized stented coronary arteries for varying stent indentation

In this work, we investigate the effects of stent indentation on hemodynamic indicators in stented coronary arteries. Our aim is to assess in-silico risk factors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) and thrombosis after stent implantation. The proposed model is applied to an idealized artery with Xience V stent for four indentation percentages and three mesh refinements. We analyze the patterns of hemodynamic indicators arising from different stent indentations and propose an analysis of time-averaged WSS (TAWSS), topological shear variation index (TSVI), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). We observe that higher indentations display higher frequency of critically low TAWSS, high TSVI, and non-physiological OSI and RRT. Furthermore, an appropriate mesh refinement is needed for accurate representation of hemodynamics in the stent vicinity. The results suggest that disturbed hemodynamics could play a role in the correlation between high indentation and ISR.

Specific and nonspecific binding of drug eluted from a half-embedded stent in presence of atherosclerotic plaque

This study is dealt with the two-phase binding (specific and nonspecific) of drug eluted from a half- embedded drug-eluting stent in presence of atherosclerotic plaque. The specific binding due to the interaction of drug molecules with specific receptors and nonspecific binding caused by the trapping of drug in the extra-cellular matrix have been paid due attention. An idealised wall consisting of a plaque and a healthy tissue region has been considered. Moreover, a Dirichlet release condition is imposed on the strut surface. In this investigation, a two-dimensional model governing drug transport and its two-phase binding in cylindrical polar coordinate system has been solved numerically by a finite-difference method. Our simulation predicts that plaque behaves like a physical barrier in two types of the binding process and there is an inverse relationship between bound drug concentration and plaque thickness. Simulations show that a single peak profile of drug is noted when the struts are situated one-strut radius apart and as the inter-strut distance increases, the peak concentration falls and distinct peak profiles over each strut are visualised. The model also reveals that in the region downstream of a strut, the concentration of both bound drug forms in the plaque and healthy regions increases, and eventually, the saturation length of binding sites increases. Predicted results show for smaller Damköhler number, the rapid saturation of binding sites takes place and the stent having thinner strut may perform well in terms of effectiveness as well as efficacy in the stent-based delivery.

Wave reflection and transmission in multiply stented blood vessels

Closed circulatory systems display an exquisite balance between vascular elasticity and viscous fluid effects, to induce pulse-smoothing and avoid resonance during the cardiac cycle. Stents in the arterial tree alter this balance through stiffening and because a periodic structure is introduced, capable of interacting with the fluid in a complex way. While the former feature has been investigated, the latter received no attention so far. But periodic structures are the building blocks of metamaterials, known for their ‘non-natural’ behaviour. Thus, the investigation of a stent's periodic microstructure dynamical interactions is crucial to assess possible pathological responses. A one-dimensional fluid–structure interaction model, simple enough to allow an analytical solution for situations of interest involving one or two interacting stents, is introduced. It is determined: (i) whether or not frequency bands exist in which reflected blood pulses are highly increased and (ii) if these bands are close to the characteristic frequencies of arteries and finally, (iii) if the internal structure of the stent can sensibly affect arterial blood dynamics. It is shown that, while the periodic structure of an isolated stent can induce anomalous reflection only in pathological conditions, the presence of two interacting stents is more critical, and high reflection can occur at frequencies not far from the physiological values.