Analysis of pulse-wave propagation characteristics in abdominal aortic sclerosis disease

In this work, a bidirectional fluid‒structure coupling finite element analysis model of the abdominal aorta was established with the various vascular elastic modulus as the main parameter of atherosclerosis, in consideration of blood dynamic viscosity and compressibility. Pressure and velocity pulse-wave propagation were investigated by the application of full-coupling analysis algorithm. The effect of atherosclerosis degree on the propagation characteristics of pulse waves in the bifurcated abdominal aorta was quantitatively analyzed. Arterial bifurcation can cause a substantial attenuation on the peak of pressure pulse waveform and an increase in wave velocity during the cardiac cycle. The elastic modulus and bifurcation properties of the arterial wall directly affected the peak value and wave propagation velocity of the pressure pulse wave. The preliminary results of this work will be crucial in guiding the evolution of the pressure pulse wave and the initial diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease through the waveform.