Ex Vivo Demonstration of Collapse in Stenosed Arteries and Arterial Models

In the advanced stages of atherosclerosis, a localized, severe reduction in arterial cross-section called a stenosis can occlude the diseased artery. The limitation in flow due to the stenosis can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Often, part of the stenosis breaks off and lodges in a smaller distal artery (embolism), thereby severely blocking the flow of blood. The process by which this mechanical failure occurs is not known, but could be due to the collapse of the artery in the region of the stenosis.