ABSTRACT
Objective To investigated the effect of stenosis characteristics (vascular elasticity and plaque properties) on myocardial ischemia. Methods An ideal geometric multi-scale coronary stenosis model based on fluid-structure interaction was established, and the fractional flow reserve (FFR) was simulated to evaluate myocardial ischemia. The effects of vascular elastic wall (elastic modulus of 1 MPa) and rigid wall, plaque types (lipid-rich plaque and calcified plaque) and plaque volume on myocardial ischemia were considered separately. Results The FFRCT simulation result of vessels with elastic wall was larger than that with rigid wall under all stenosis situations. The FFRCT of vessels in lipid-rich lesions was higher than that of calcified plaque (P=0.001). The trapezoidal plaque volume was larger than the cosine plaque volume, and the FFRCT of vessels in trapezoidal plaque was smaller than that of cosine plaque (P=0.001). Conclusions Vascular elasticity is a critical factor to simulate vascular hemodynamics. In moderate stenosis, calcified plaques are more likely to induce myocardial ischemia due to the larger luminal deformation and dilation of rich lipid plaque. When the stenosis is constant, the smaller the plaque volume, the higher the FFRCT and the smaller the possibility of myocardial ischemia.