Although the pathobiology of atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial process, blood flow-
induced shear stress has emerged as an essential feature of atherogenesis. This fluid drag
force acting on the vessel wall is mechanotransduced into a biochemical signal that results
in changes in vascular behavior. Maintenance of a physiologic, laminar shear stress is
known to be crucial for normal vascular functioning, which includes the regulation of
vascular caliber as well as inhibition of proliferation, thrombosis and inflammation of the …