Anatomically Correct Right Coronary Artery Model

Upon clinical analysis, regions such as curvatures and bifurcations have been characterized as high prone regions where atherosclerotic plaques were more likely to occur. Biological studies have linked this phenomenon to the localized response of the endothelial cells to mechanical blood flow forces such as fluid shear stress. Present common in vitro flow cell culture models such as parallel-plate flow chambers and cone and plate viscometers used to study endothelial cell response depict a simplified geometry and thus, unrealistic in vivo conditions. The aim of this project was to develop a more realistic in vitro cell culture model by using an anatomically correct right coronary artery model and a more physiologic flow environment for dynamic endothelial cell culture experiments.