Multi-parameter computational model of flow mediated dilation with fluid-structure interaction coupled with lumped parameter approaches

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a valuable non-invasive clinical assessment of endothelial dysfunction, a key indicator of atherosclerosis. The progression of atherosclerosis from paediatric ages can lead to the manifestation of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in later life. Hence, early lesion detection in younger years using FMD will heavily support timely disease assessment and treatment. In FMD, the diameter of the brachial artery is measured ultrasonically before, during, and after the inflation of a cuff applied to the lower arm of a subject. The cuff is placed distal to the ultrasound probe to capture predominantly endothelium-dependent vasodilation [1].The process induces a period of reactive hyperaemia, causing the brachial artery to vasodilate, due to an increase in shear stress that results in release of nitric oxide. The brachial artery ‘speak dilation is used for calculating the percentage difference between peak and baseline diameter (FMD percentage).Modelling FMD computationally offers a non-invasive assessment of vascular health and haemodynamic parameters.