Narrow Results

The effects of age-related hypertrophic remodeling of the thoracic aortic wall on mechanical stresses are quantified using the fluid–solid interaction method. Boundary conditions include physiological flow and pressure waves. Fluid and solid governing equations are solved using the loose coupling method. The results show alteration of hemodynamic and wall mechanical parameters by the remodeling process, including reduction in maximum circumferential stress and lower shear stress fluctuation with smaller portion of negative value and smaller maximum value. Such characteristics are indicators of the reduction of risk of endothelial injury. Remodeling causes elevation of the stress phase angle, an indicator of interaction between shear and circumferential stresses that causes triggering of endothelial cell proliferation, which is necessary for coverage of extra surface required by remodeling. The improvement by remodeling is limited by age-related structural changes such as elastin dysfunction and disorganization of structural components.