Misinterpretation of the Functional Severity of Coronary Stenosis Due To Variability in Arterial Wall Compliance

Effect of arterial wall compliance on the invasive coronary diagnostic parameters for various severities of coronary stenoses was assessed. The Mooney-Rivlin model was used to define the non-linear properties of the arterial wall and the plaque regions. The non-Newtonian viscosity of blood was modeled using the Carreau model. A finite element method was employed to solve the pulsatile fluid (blood)-structure (arterial wall) interaction (FSI) equations. Variability in the diagnostic parameter values can occur near the cut-off value due to change in compliance of stenotic arteries between the range of 84% and 89% area stenosis. This may lead to misdiagnosis and might wrongly lead to postponement of coronary intervention.