Evaluation of particle shape, size and magnetic field intensity for targeted delivery efficiency and plaque injury in treating atherosclerosis

A comprehensive evaluation of therapeutic effects of magnetic nanoparticle therapy for patient-specific atherosclerosis is presented in terms of targeted delivery efficiency (η) and plaque injury. Eulerian-Lagrangian technique is adopted, and an innovative model is first introduced for simulating targeted delivery drug-loaded particles to plaque, in which the shape and size of particles are taken into account in the drag coefficient CD. The impacts of particle shape, size and magnetic field intensity on η and plaque injury characterized by temporal-spatial averaged shear stress (TAWSS¯) are investigated. The results signify that, among drug delivery using the transport particles of different shapes, the sequences of η and TAWSS¯ are platelet>cylinder>blade>sphere>brick, which indicates that the particle with higher drug targeting ability may induce greater plaque injury. Moreover, it is found that increasing the particle size from 300 to 500 nm or the current from 5E4 to 2E5 A enhances η by nearly 9.3% or 18.1%, respectively, but behind this are greater damage to plaque itself. Along with this, the injury discrepancy of plaque induced by particles with different shapes is also amplified. Results obtained can potentially serve as the guideline to optimize the design of transport particle and magnetic field for targeted therapy to atherosclerosis. [Display omitted] •An Evaluation of therapeutic effects of atherosclerosis is presented from delivery efficiency and injury.•A novel model that considers particle shape and size is firstly introduced to targeted drug delivery.•The impacts of shape, size of particle and magnetic field intensity on targeted drug delivery are investigated.•The particle with higher drug targeting ability may induce greater plaque injury during transport.•Increasing particle size or current enhances delivery efficiency accompanied by greater adverse effect.