A comprehensive physics-based model for the brachial Artery's full flow mediated dilation (FMD) response observed during the FMD test.

ABSTRACT

In this study, a physics-based model is developed to describe the entire flow mediated dilation (FMD) response. A parameter quantifying the arterial wall's tendency to recover arises from the model, thereby providing a more elaborate description of the artery's physical state, in concert with other parameters characterizing mechanotransduction and structural aspects of the arterial wall. The arterial diameter's behavior throughout the full response is successfully reproduced by the model. Experimental FMD response data were obtained from healthy volunteers. The model's parameters are then adjusted to yield the closest match to the observed experimental response, hence delivering the parameter values pertaining to each subject. This study establishes a foundation based on which future potential clinical applications can be introduced, where endothelial function and general cardiovascular health are inexpensively and noninvasively quantified.