A repository of idealized finite element models for diseased superficial femoral and popliteal arteries

Peripheral arterial disease is a widespread condition affecting over 200 million adults worldwide. It is characterized by a progressive reduction in blood flow, primarily due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in peripheral arteries, including the superficial femoral artery and the popliteal artery. The progression of peripheral arterial disease often requires therapeutic interventions, such as stent implantation, to restore blood flow in compromised arteries and reduce the risk of vascular complications. Moreover, the efficiency and safety of the stent implantation procedure depends on the biomechanical interaction between the device and the diseased artery. In this context, computer simulation is an effective tool to support the stent design phase, optimizing the device's mechanical characteristics to improve the implantation procedure. Additionally, computer simulation can also serve as a tool for pre-surgical planning, enabling the selection of the safest and most effective implantation strategy. The aim of this study is to develop a repository of idealized models of the superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery, which can be employed for computer simulations. To achieve this, a comprehensive analysis of vascular characteristics was conducted under both physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on the geometric features of atherosclerotic plaques. The idealized artery models developed were structured into a comprehensive repository, differentiating vessel types, stenosis severity, and incorporating gender-specific anatomical distinctions. The final repository may serve as a valuable tool for stent design and for the future development of patient-specific finite element models, contributing to advancements in pre-surgical planning simulations.