Abstract:Objective Considering vascular remodeling and low density lipoprotein (LDL) deposition, the growth and development trend of the lateral branch plaques of bifurcated vessels, as well as the potential locations of subsequent plaque growth due to the presence of plaques, were investigated. Methods An idealized model of bifurcated vessels was established, and the distribution of shear stress on the wall before and after the growth of edge branch plaques was obtained by computational fluid dynamics.7 sections were intercepted in the areas of low shear stress: plane1 ~ plane3 represented the low shear stress areas on the lateral branch before plaque formation; plane4 and plane5 represented the proximal and distal edges of the plaque; plane6 and plane7 represented the lower shear stress areas of the plaque. The vascular remodeling and LDL deposition in the cross section were simulated. The growth and development trend of plaques were discussed. Results Among plane1~plane3, plane2 produced obvious negative remodeling and the highest concentration of low density lipoprotein deposition (102.266 mmol/L). This indicates that this is the initial location of atherosclerotic plaque. Compared with plane4, plane5 produced more pronounced vascular remodeling, lumen narrowing and the highest deposition concentration (110.17 mmol/L) after plaque formation. The results indicated that the patch had a tendency of eccentric growth to the downstream. Compared with plane6, the blood flow separation reattachment site (plane7) produced more negative remodeling and the highest deposition concentration (93.851 mmol/L). This indicates that there is a possibility of new plaque formation near the reattachment point of blood flow separation.Conclusion Obvious vascular remodeling at the low shear stress of the lateral branches leads to lumen stenosis, and leads to high concentration of LDL deposition, forming atherosclerotic plaque. The lateral wall of bifurcated blood vessels is the initial location of atherosclerotic plaque growth. After the plaque growth, the plaque tended to develop downstream, and the subsequent plaque may be formed at the flow separation and reattachment points.