AUTHOR=Colombo Monika , Chaudhry Palak , Oberholzer Yvonne , deMello Andrew J. 

TITLE=Integrative modeling of hemodynamic changes and perfusion impairment in coronary microvascular disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1204178

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1204178

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Coronary microvascular disease is one of the responsible factors for cardiac perfusion impairment. Due to diagnostic and treatment challenges, this pathology (characterized by alterations to microvasculature local hemodynamics) represents a significant yet unsolved clinical problem.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Due to the poor understanding of the onset and progression of this disease, we propose a new and noninvasive strategy to quantify <italic>in-vivo</italic> hemodynamic changes occurring in the microvasculature. Specifically, we here present a conceptual workflow that combines both <italic>in-vitro</italic> and <italic>in-silico</italic> modelling for the analysis of the hemodynamic alterations in the microvasculature.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> First, we demonstrate a hybrid additive manufacturing process to fabricate circular cross-section, biocompatible fluidic networks in polytetrafluoroethylene. We then use these microfluidic devices and computational fluid dynamics to simulate different degrees of perfusion impairment.</p><p><bold>Discussion:</bold> Ultimately, we show that the developed workflow defines a robust platform for the multiscale analysis of multifactorial events occurring in coronary microvascular disease.</p>