Systematic review on the application of computational fluid dynamics as a tool for the design of coronary artery stents

Abstract

Background: Every year thousands of people die from atherosclerosis. This heart disease causes artery hardening, which impairs blood flow. For this type of disease, the primary treatment is the application of stents. Observing the importance of the application of stents in the treatment of atherosclerosis, the present work aimed to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the applicability of computational fluid dynamics in the design of stents for coronary arteries. Main body of abstract: To achieve the objective of this work, a review protocol was used. According to the method employed, we selected 16 articles to be read and analyzed in detail. Based on these studies, it was possible to verify that the works had two primary goals. The first was to model blood flow precisely to have CFD as a simulation and design tool. The second was to search for geometries of better performance, considering flow parameters that are believed to affect the stent lifespan—increasing time for stent replacement. Regarding the mathematical models for blood flow, it was verified that non-Newtonian models in transient regimes presented the best results. Regarding stent geometry, it was found that strut geometry and stent thickness can greatly influence wall shear stress parameters, which affect restenosis formation, and that the design of stents with innovative geometries has the potential to increase the lifespan of arterial stents. Short conclusion: After completing the work, a document that serves as a knowledge base for works that apply stents as a treatment and support material for further research was obtained.