Spatial and phasic oscillation of non-Newtonian wall shear stress in human left coronary artery bifurcation: an insight to atherogenesis

Abstract

The lateral walls of the bifurcation, where low and oscillating wall shear stress is observed, are more susceptible to atherosclerosis. The systolic period, rather than the diastolic one, favors the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The blood viscosity properties do not seem to qualitatively affect the spatial and temporal distribution of the wall shear stress.