Biology and Medicine

Brian D. Plourde

Publications

• Research Article
  The Effect of Plaque Removal on Pressure Drop and Flow Rate through an Idealized Stenotic Lesion
  Author(s): Brian D. Plourde, Lauren J. Vallez, Biyuan Sun, John P. Abraham and Cezar S. StaniloeBrian D. Plourde, Lauren J. Vallez, Biyuan Sun, John P. Abraham and Cezar S. Staniloe
  
  Numerical calculations have been performed to quantify the importance of plaque removal on blood flow. The artery under consideration is the popliteal artery which is susceptible to plaque lesions. An orbital artherectomy device was used to partially remove a calcified plaque layer. Measurements taken before and after the treatment were used in idealized calculations and pressure losses through the lesion were determined. It was found that the removal of plaque by orbital atherectomy increases the blood flowrate through the artery. At the same time, there is a major reduction of pressure loss through the lesion. After treatment, the systolic pressure drop was 2.5 times less than prior to treatment. The cycle-averaged pressure drop was improved by a factor of 3.5. The results are similar for a wide range of plaque lesion lengths (from 3 mm to 18 mm). A deep.. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/0974-8369.1000261

  Abstract PDF