Stents cause flow disturbances in coronary arteries: A study using Laser-Doppler-Anemometry (LDA)

A. Sakurai, D. Liepsch, Th Schmid, H. Breitfuss, M. Hilber, H. Berger, S. Schwarzacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There have been significant advances in the treatment of atherosclerotic disease in the past few years. In addition to surgical procedures such as end-to-side bypass operation, angioplasty with balloon dilatation is now used in peripheral and coronary arteries. Coronary angioplasty replaces in many cases a more invasive surgical procedure. This technique however, though not as invasive as open-heart surgery, also has several disadvantages, the most common being re-stenosis which occurs in 40% of the treated patients. Methods: The fluid dynamic influence of several stents was tested in transparent silicon rubber models of coronary arteries and compared with the flow behavior in a healthy coronary artery model. The flow structure was measured with a one component laser-Doppler-anemometer. The tested stents were a Carbo stent 3/19, a Tetra stent and a Carbo stent 2.5/19. Results: Flow disturbances appeared close to the wires of the stent near the wall. The Tetra stent creates the 'smoothest' disturbances. Conclusion: As these first detailed velocity measurements demonstrate, the LDA is a good tool for evaluation of stent placement because in vitro flow conditions and physiological conditions are always the same. Using this type of model, it is possible to analyze the flow behavior of stents in detail. This study shows preliminary results that indicate that slight changes in positioning of the stent alter the resistance, perhaps contributing significantly to restenosis. In addition to the implantation location, the stent design, grid configuration, wire thickness and crossing wires are factors which must be taken into consideration as they modify flow behavior. This understanding can be very important in reducing complications after stent implantation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-80
Number of pages12
JournalCardiovascular Engineering
Volume10
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Coronary arteries
  • Elastic models
  • LDA measurements
  • Stents

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