Bridging vascular physiology and computer modelling to predict functional decline and cardiovascular event risk in patients with blood flow limitation

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterised by atherosclerotic narrowing of the peripheral arteries that classically affects the lower extremities. This leads to impairment of oxygen deliver to nearby muscles during exercise, resulting in exertional pain (claudication). PAD patients also have increased risk of cardiovascular events, including death.
We will look at whether mean shear and patterns of shear stress in the femoral and popliteal artery (ultrasound-derived) are linked with the time to minimal calf oxygenation during a 6-minute walk test, which can provide an index of microvascular function and functional capacity. Using these measurements, the goal of this project is to model the severity of vascular impairment in patients and link this with functional limitations and cardiovascular event occurrence.
The project will deliver a multiscale computational model that can aid in the prediction of functional decline and cardiovascular event occurrence, while taking into consideration sex and comorbidity of patients. The model will incorporate flows in large arteries, smaller arterioles, and peripheral vascular beds, and will include patient-specific parameterisation. Development of this model will aid in disease management and better estimation of future risk for PAD patients. This will enable more accurate stratification of patients into risk categories.