Extent of flow recirculation governs expression of atherosclerotic and thrombotic biomarkers in arterial bifurcations

Abstract

Flow drives variations in vascular reactivity and vascular beds. Endothelial health was preserved by arterial flow but jeopardized in regions of flow recirculation in a quasi-linear manner. Similarly, SMC exposed to flow were more thrombogenic in large recirculating regions. Health, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis biomarkers correlate with the extent of recirculation in vascular cells lining certain vascular geometries.