A fully coupled computational fluid dynamics – agent-based model of atherosclerotic plaque development: Multiscale modeling framework and parameter sensitivity analysis

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disorder that leads to impaired lumen patency through intimal hyperplasia and the build-up of plaques, mainly localized in areas of disturbed flow. Computational models can provide valuable insights in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and act...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers in biology and medicine Vol. 118; p. 103623
Main Authors: Corti, Anna, Chiastra, Claudio, Colombo, Monika, Garbey, Marc, Migliavacca, Francesco, Casarin, Stefano
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2020
Elsevier Limited
Subjects:
Agent-based model
Agent-based models
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Blood vessels
Cell size
Computational fluid dynamics
Computer applications
Computer modeling
Computer simulation
Coupling
ECM
Extracellular matrix
Fluid dynamics
Geometry
Hemodynamics
Hyperplasia
Internal Medicine
Lipid plaque
Lipids
Mathematical models
Multiscale analysis
Multiscale model
Other
Parameter identification
Parameter sensitivity
Pathogenesis
Pathology
Physiology
Plaques
Prediction models
Remodeling
Sensitivity analysis
Simulation
SMC
Three dimensional models
Two dimensional models
Vascular diseases
Veins & arteries
Wall shear stress
United States > US
Multiscale model
Lipid plaque
Atherosclerosis
SMC
Wall shear stress
Hemodynamics
Remodeling
Computer modeling
ECM
Agent-based model
ISSN:0010-4825, 1879-0534, 1879-0534
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disorder that leads to impaired lumen patency through intimal hyperplasia and the build-up of plaques, mainly localized in areas of disturbed flow. Computational models can provide valuable insights in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and act as a predictive tool to optimize current interventional techniques. Our hypothesis is that a reliable predictive model must include the atherosclerosis development history. Accordingly, we developed a multiscale modeling framework of atherosclerosis that replicates the hemodynamic-driven arterial wall remodeling and plaque formation. The framework was based on the coupling of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with an Agent-Based Model (ABM). The CFD simulation computed the hemodynamics in a 3D artery model, while 2D ABMs simulated cell, Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and lipid dynamics in multiple vessel cross-sections. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to evaluate the oscillation of the ABM output to variations in the inputs and to identify the most influencing ABM parameters. Our multiscale model qualitatively replicated both the physiologic and pathologic arterial configuration, capturing histological-like features. The ABM outputs were mostly driven by cell and ECM dynamics, largely affecting the lumen area. A subset of parameters was found to affect the final lipid core size, without influencing cell/ECM or lumen area trends. The fully coupled CFD-ABM framework described atherosclerotic morphological and compositional changes triggered by a disturbed hemodynamics. •Two-way coupling of computational fluid dynamics and agent based models.•CFD-ABM framework able to capture hemodynamics-driven arterial wall remodeling.•ABM replicating morphological and compositional changes in atherosclerosis.•Simulated, asymmetric plaques formed in areas affected by disturbed hemodynamics.•The sensitivity analysis identified one parameter mostly driving the ABM output.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
content type line 23
ISSN:0010-4825
1879-0534
1879-0534
DOI:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103623