GLOBAL ASSESSMENT CERTIFICATE

CASE STUDY INVESTIGATION COVER SHEET

Student Name: Vicky Chen

GAC013: SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES

Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

WEIGHTING: 30%
TIME ALLOWED: Ongoing

CONDITIONS:
Write a report of at least 750 words
Submit the organiser, the first draft and final version of the essay.

I certify that this assignment is my own work, based on my personal study

and/or research, and that I have acknowledged all material and sources used in
the preparation of this assessment event whether they be books, articles,
reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of document, electronic or personal
communication. I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the
work of other students and/or persons. I understand that I cannot share this
work in any way. I understand the issues of plagiarism and recognise its
implications.

Student Signature:

This Assessment Event will not be marked unless the student signs the above declaration.

MARK AND TEACHER’S COMMENTS:

/30

TEACHER’S SIGNATURE:
GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Case Study Investigation

Topic 1: Studying blood flow dynamic to identify the
heart of vessel failure: Insights into blood flow may
lead to improved cardiac health care
Topic 2: MRI measure of blood flow over
atherosclerotic plaque may detect dangerous plaque

Student Name: Vicky Chen

Student ID: 1
Teacher: Katie Aston
Due Date: 11/25
Word Count: 1842

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Table of Contents

Abstract………………………………………………………………………. 4
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………… 4
2. Methodology………………………………………………………………. 4
3. Findings……………………………………………………………………. 5
4. Discussion…………………………………………………………………. 6
5. Conclusions and Recommendations………………………………………. 7
References…………………………………………………………………… 8

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Abstract
Different scientific discoveries sometimes have different effects on human progress. This

passage is talking about the differences and the similarities between two scientific papers

about the cardiovascular system and illustrates their different contributions between these two

papers. In order to write this article well, I use a contrast organiser to compare the similarities

and the differences between the two passages. The first paper focused on the use of

hemodynamics to identify failing cardiac vessels, and the second passage focused on

Measuring blood flow to atherosclerotic plaques using magnetic resonance imaging can help

identify plaques at risk for clots. I prefer the tactics from the second passage, because from

the angle of the practicality, it is more realistic.

1. Introduction
Topic 1 is about the new research from a fluid mechanics team that reveals how blood flow

dynamics within blood vessels may influence where plaques develop or rupture. The findings

could one day help doctors identify weak spots on a vessel wall that are likeliest to fail, and

lead to early interventions in treating heart disease. Topic 2 is talking about Researchers have

shown that using magnetic resonance imaging to measure blood flow over atherosclerotic

plaques could help identify plaques at risk for thrombosis. From the perspective of its

contribution to science, fluid mechanics has a better development prospect than MRI, because

it can not only promote the progress of medicine but also promote the progress of physics.

However, from the perspective of practicality, MRI is easier to operate, cheaper, and more

affordable for ordinary people.

2. Methodology
In order to better compare the two articles, I first found the main arguments and examples of

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

the two articles, through which I could determine the differences between the two methods

and how these two methods help humans to find the problems of the cardiovascular system as

soon as possible. In addition, I searched the Internet for information and examples of relevant

content, as well as some papers from medical professors. In this way, I can better understand

the content of the article and make the comparison by using a contrast organiser to enumerate

the similarities and the difficulties of the two articles.

3. Findings
The focus of the first article is on using the blood flow dynamics to identify the heart vessel

of failure. The foundation of this passage is that new research from the fluid mechanic’s team

demonstrates how intravascular hemodynamics can affect plaque formation or rupture. The

findings could one day help doctors spot weaknesses in blood vessel walls that are most

likely to fail and lead to early interventions for heart disease. When plaque and fat build-up

inside an artery, it ruptures and blocks blood flow. The result of this phenomenon can be

fatal. This hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, often leads to heart

disease and is the leading cause of death in many Americans, many of whom eat too much

oily, caloric food every day. Despite years of advances in treatments and instruments,

scientists are still studying how and why these deposits form and looking for ways to reduce

heart attacks and strokes.

In the second passage, the researchers have shown that using magnetic resonance imaging to

measure blood flow in atherosclerotic plaques can help identify plaques at risk for clots.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have shown that using MRI to measure

blood flow to atherosclerotic plaques can help identify plaques at risk for blood clots. The

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

findings, published in the March issue of the journal Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging,

offer a non-invasive application for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with

atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of the human vascular system associated

with lipid (cholesterol) accumulation and inflammation. It can go undetected for years but

can cause acute cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack. This usually occurs

when a high-risk, dangerous atherosclerotic plaque destroys the surface of the blood vessels

that face the blood, followed by a clot that partially or completely blocks blood flow through

the lumen. One of the unsolved challenges of diagnostic medicine is to find such plaques

before damage occurs to prevent them. Researchers in this study found that a measure of

ESS, which is indirect friction of blood flow against vascular endothelial surfaces, could

identify plaques in the highest risk category. A pharmacological "trigger" following a non-

invasive MRI of the aorta in a preclinical model with stable and unstable plaques; Is used to

induce plaque rupture. Low ESS is associated with plaque destruction and having other "high

risk" plaques. Features such as positive remodeling, in which "hidden" blood vessel walls

dilate outwards; Plaques are detected by several conventional methods.

4. Discussion
In passage one, scientists have developed a computer-based analytical solution that helps

predict the location of pipe failures based on calculations of the flow causing the disease.

They represent the complex blood flow in the heart cycle - the complete sequence of the heart

from the start of one beat to the next. The researchers also looked at the role of a parameter

called the Womersley number in the inflow. In the analysis of a biological fluid, such as

blood, which refers to the unstable part of the flow or the way in which the blood passes

through the blood vessels. The blood flow dynamics can help to move the blood forward

because there is a resistance to blood flow that the blood there mainly depends on Arterioles.

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

( https://www.slideshare.net/medicinemcq5/dynamic-of-blood-flow )

In passage two, The results suggest that using non-invasive MRI to assess ESS, combined

with plaque structural characteristics, provides a comprehensive approach to identify "high

risk" locations. Plaque, monitor its progress, and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

"High-risk" early identification of plaques prior to acute cardiovascular events will enhance

decision-making and may improve patient management through timely aggressive

interventions to stabilize plaques. (

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-

resonance-imaging-mri )

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

In terms of the contribution of these two articles to mankind, I think the second article is

better because the second article is about using MRI -- a non-invasive imaging technology

that produces three-dimensional detailed anatomical images -- to observe blood flow and thus

detect dangerous plaques on blood vessels. I think this article is better because the method

mentioned here is more feasible. Although the content of the first article is very helpful for

the principle of human atherosclerosis, these studies are superficial and have great reference

value for the research principle. However, medicine is not a theoretical science, and we need

to consider whether this method is feasible when we study it. So, for me, the second article is

better because it is more feasible.

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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

References:
1. Charlie C (2019) The heart of vessel failure. [online]Available from:
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/pathophys/cardiology/2010/lectur
e7_9Notes.pdf [Accessed 18 November 2019]
2. Brus T (2021) Magnetic Resonance imaging -- MRI.[online] Available
from:
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-
resonance-imaging-mri [Accessed 21 September 2021]
3. Viola S (2017) Atherosclerosis. [online]Available from:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis#:~:text=Atheroscl
erosis%20is%20a%20disease%20in%20which%20plaque
%20builds,your%20organs%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20your
%20body. [Accessed 7 February 2017]
4. Leer T (2020) Dynamic of blood flow.[online] Available from:
https://slideshare.net/medicinemcq5/dynamic-of-blood-
flow#:~:text=Dynamics%20Of%20Blood%20Flow.
%201.%20%201%20Forward,muscles%20during%20exercise%20%EF
%81%AC%20Negative%20pressure%20in%20 [Accessed 13 October
2020]
5. Gerasimos A(2016) American Institute of Physics. Studying blood flow
dynamics to identify heart of vessel failure. Available from:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160816120623.htm
[Accessed 16 August 2016]
6. Boston University Medical Center(2013) MRI measure of blood flow
over atherosclerotic plaque may detect dangerous plaque. Available from:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130405134903.htm
[Accessed 5 April 2013]

Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Compare/ Contrast Organiser
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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation
This organiser will help you to structure your thoughts in the draft phase. It is NOT to be
included in the Results section.
Topic 1: 7A
Differences: This article is
about the study of blood flow
dynamics in order to identify
the heart of vessel failure,
and the strategy in this article
is to use the fluid mechanic
to help doctors identify weak
spots on a vessel wall that are
likeliest to fail, and lead to
early interventions in treating
heart disease.
Aspects to be examined Topic 2: 7B
 Definition: What is Differences: This article is
the scientific about the MRI measure of
advance? blood flow over
 Which issue does it atherosclerotic plaque may
address? detect dangerous plaque.
 Which part of science
does it belong to and
why? How do these
two advances differ in
their approach to the
topic?
 When and by whom
was it discovered?
 Provide a historical
perspective. What
was the previous
strategy for dealing
with the issue?
 What is the
contribution of the
scientific advance to
human progress?
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GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Similarities: These 2 articles both show the scientific advances on medicine of the
cardiovascular system. These twos strategies will both help the doctors to identify the
potential risk of diseases.