Stress distributions along the inner wall of the femoropopliteal bypass graft anastomoses

The distal junction of a femoral or femoropopliteal artery bypass graft has a predilection for failure due to restenosis. However neither the initiation nor proliferation process of atherosclerotic plaque is completely understood. Presently it is hypothesized that the process of atherosclerosis initiates as a result of damage or 'insult' to the endothelium. The cause of this initial damage is unknown, although it is widely believed that wall shear stresses are a contributing factor. The primary cause of plaque proliferation has not yet been identified, however it is our belief that intramural pressure plays a significant role. In this study numerical models of the proximal and distal junctions were used to determine both the location and magnitude of the stresses caused by intramural pressure. The simulated artery bypass graft was examined under both static and dynamic conditions.