On the effects of different strategies in modelling balloon-expandable stenting by means of finite element method

In recent years, computational structural analyses have emerged as important tools to investigate the mechanical response of stent placement into arterial walls. Although most coronary stents are expanded by inflating a polymeric balloon, realistic computational balloon models have been introduced only recently. In the present study, the finite element method is applied to simulate three different approaches to evaluate stent-free expansion and stent expansion inside an artery. Three different stent expansion modelling techniques were analysed by: (i) imposing a uniform pressure on the stent internal surface, (ii) a rigid cylindrical surface expanded with displacement control and (iii) modelling a polymeric deformable balloon. The computational results showed differences in the free and confined-stent expansions due to different expansion techniques. The modelling technique of the balloon seems essential to estimate the level of injury caused on arterial walls during stent expansion.