Effects of plaque shape on arterial blood flow.

Plaque reduces the conductivity of the blood vessel and its shape is more important than its quantity. We show that, for given quantity, the conductivity is maximal if the plaque forms a uniform layer next to the vessel wall and leaves a circular hole in the middle. On the other hand, for any quantity of the plaque a shape can be found such that the conductivity of the vessel is arbitrary close to zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]