Finite element analysis of wall stress in the equine pulmonary artery.
Abstract: Arterial calcification is found frequently in the pulmonary artery of racehorses, but the aetiology is unknown. Calcification might be associated with increased wall stress due to arterial geometry (shape) and exercise-induced hypertension. Objective: High wall stress levels are found in the regions associated with calcified lesion formation, exacerbated as transluminal pressure increases to levels associated with exercise. Methods: The pulmonary arteries of 5 horses, unaffected by calcification, were dissected and pressurised to resting and exercising physiological transluminal pressures and scanned with MRI. Arterial geometries were reconstructed to form 3D computer models and finite element analyses performed. Wall stress levels were measured in 4 regions of interest: the arterial trunk and bifurcation, the wall ipsilateral and contralateral to the bifurcation. Measurements were made for arterial transluminal pressures of 25, 50 and 100 mmHg. Results: High wall stress levels were consistently found at the pulmonary artery bifurcation and wall ipsilateral to the bifurcation, where calcified lesions typically form. Lower wall stress levels were found along the trunk and the wall contralateral to the bifurcation where lesions are less frequently found. Wall stress levels increased 5-fold over a 4-fold increase in pressure. The wall stress levels ranged 10 kPa in the wall of the branch contralateral to the bifurcation at 25 mmHg to 400 kPa in the bifurcation at 100 mmHg. Conclusions: Wall stress from arterial geometry and increased pulmonary artery transluminal pressure are factors that may be associated with calcification of the equine pulmonary artery. Conclusions: Arterial calcification may increase the risk of arterial wall failure in racing horses.
Publication Date: 2010-02-04 PubMed ID: 20121917DOI: 10.2746/042516409X464131Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article investigates the relationship between wall stress in the equine pulmonary artery due to its structure and pressure changes during exercise, and the development of arterial calcification. The study’s hypotheses are tested through methods such as MRI scanning and finite element analysis on a sample of horses free from calcification.
Objectives
The objective of this research was to find and measure high wall stress levels in regions that are associated with the formation of calcified lesions within the pulmonary artery. Increased wall stress is hypothesized to be a consequence of exercise-induced hypertension and the shape of the arterial geometry.
Methods
- The team examined the pulmonary arteries of five horses that were not affected by calcification.
- These arteries were pressurized to resting and exercising levels, after which they were scanned using MRI.
- The scanned geometric data of these arteries were used to develop 3D computer models.
- These models were then studied using finite element analysis, a technique used to compute how an object responds to real-world forces.
- Four regions of interest namely the arterial trunk, the bifurcation, and the walls on the same side (ipsilateral) and opposite side (contralateral) to the bifurcation were scrutinized.
- Each of these measurements were made for arterial pressure levels of 25, 50, and 100 mmHg. This represents the internal pressure within the artery at rest and during exercise.
Results
- High wall stress in the pulmonary artery was consistently discovered at the bifurcation and the ipsilateral wall where calcified lesions generally form. Meanwhile, the arterial trunk and contralateral wall, where fewer lesions typically occur, exhibited lower wall stress levels.
- Wall stress escalated five times with a fourfold increase in arterial pressure during analysis.
- The investigators detected a range of wall stress levels from 10 kPa in the bridge contralateral wall under a resting pressure of 25 mmHg, to 400 kPa in the bifurcation under an exercise pressure of 100 mmHg.
Conclusions
- The researchers conclude that the geometric form of the artery and high arterial transluminal pressure levels during exercise are likely contributing factors to the calcification of the equine pulmonary artery.
- The study infers that arterial calcification may heighten the risk of arterial wall failure in racing horses, possibly leading to catastrophic outcomes.
The findings from this research provide vital insights on preventative care and potential prognosis for horses at risk of pulmonary arterial calcification. It also invites further exploration into modifying training regimens and potential therapies targeting lower arterial stress levels.
Cite This Article
APA
Teeter MG, Arroyo LG, Bakker JD, Hayes MA, Viel L, Runciman RJ.
(2010).
Finite element analysis of wall stress in the equine pulmonary artery.
Equine Vet J, 42(1), 68-72.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X464131 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Computer Simulation
- Finite Element Analysis
- Horses / physiology
- Models, Biological
- Pulmonary Artery / physiology
Citations
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