Stress-modulated collagen fiber remodeling in a human carotid bifurcation

J Theor Biol. 2007 Oct 7;248(3):460-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2007.05.037. Epub 2007 Jun 6.

Abstract

This work concerns with the implementation of a new stress-driven remodeling model for simulating the overall structure and mechanical behavior of a human carotid bifurcation. By means of an iterative finite element based procedure collagen fiber direction and maximal principal stresses are computed. We find that the predicted fibers' architecture at the cylindrical branches and at the apex of the bifurcation correlates well with histological observations. Some insights about the mechanical response of the sinus bulb and the bifurcation apex are revealed and discussed. The results are compared with other, isotropic and orthotropic, models available in the literature.

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Carotid Arteries / anatomy & histology
  • Carotid Arteries / physiology*
  • Carotid Artery, Common / anatomy & histology
  • Carotid Artery, Common / physiology
  • Carotid Artery, External / anatomy & histology
  • Carotid Artery, External / physiology
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / anatomy & histology
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / physiology
  • Connective Tissue / physiology
  • Elasticity
  • Fibrillar Collagens / physiology*
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Humans
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Fibrillar Collagens