Suplementary Material from The influence of aortic stiffness on carotid stiffness: computational simulations using a human aorta carotid model

Aortic and carotid stiffness are independent predictors of cardiovascular events. Arterial stiffness is not uniform across the arterial tree and its accurate assessment is challenging. The complex interactions and influence of aortic stiffness on carotid stiffness has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aortic stiffness on carotid stiffness under physiological pressure conditions. A realistic patient-specific geometry was used based on MRI images obtained from the OsiriX library. The image was reconstructed using a three-dimensional slicer and the lumen boundary was reconstructed into the aorta and its branches. A series of simulations were performed at a different level of Young's modulus under two pulse pressure conditions to examine the deformation, compliance and von-Mises stress between the aorta and carotid arteries. An increase of Young's modulus resulted in a notable difference in the mechanical properties of the aortic tree. The deformation, compliance and Von Mises stress across all sections of the aorta and carotid arteries decreased with the increase of the aortic Young's modulus. Our results indicate that carotid stiffness may be associated with aortic stiffness. Large-scale clinical validation is warranted to examine the influence of aortic on carotid stiffness.