Modeling Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) is induced by the formation of fibrous-muscular thrombi in the pulmonary circulation. Their origin and dynamics are not fully understood. Within our research collaborations we will design/study a micro fluid flow chamber to investigate the influence of variable wall shear stresses (WSS) on cultured endothelial cells of patients and control subjects. For this, Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations have to be done to optimise the chamber design. Next, cells will be imaged over time and their growth/remodelling will be correlated with local WSS.

In an extension of this work, a computational model of the growth of the thrombus under different WSS and wall stress conditions will be created to investigate the role of endothelial cells as well as the proliferation of smooth muscle cells.

 

References

[1] Kurakula, K., Smolders, V.F., Tura-Ceide, O., Jukema, J.W., Quax, P.H. and Goumans, M.J., 2021. Endothelial Dysfunction in Pulmonary Hypertension: Cause or Consequence?. Biomedicines, 9(1), p.57.