Slowness of blood flow and resultant thrombus formation in cerebral aneurysms

Computational and experimental investigation of particulate matter deposition in cerebral side aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms frequently develop blood clots, plaque and inflammations, which are linked to enhanced particulate mass deposition. In this work, we propose a computational model for particulate deposition, that accounts for the influence of field forces, such as gravity and electrostatics, which produce an additional flux of particles perpendicular to the fluid motion and towards the wall. This field-mediated flux can significantly enhance particle deposition in low-shear environments, such as in aneurysm cavities. Experimental investigation of particle deposition patterns in in vitro models of side aneurysms, demonstrated the ability of the model to predict enhanced particle adhesion at these sites. Our results showed a significant influence of gravity and electrostatic forces (greater than 10%), indicating that the additional terms presented in our models may be necessary for modelling a wide range of physiological flow conditions and not only for ultra-low shear regions. Spatial differences between the computational model and the experimental results suggested that additional transport and fluidic mechanisms affect the deposition pattern within aneurysms. Taken together, the presented findings may enhance our understanding of pathological deposition processes at cardiovascular disease sites, and facilitate rational design and optimization of cardiovascular particulate drug carriers.

A computational model for prediction of clot platelet content in flow-diverted intracranial aneurysms

Treatment of intracranial aneurysms with flow-diverting stents is a safe and minimally invasive technique. The goal is stable embolisation that facilitates stent endothelialisation, and elimination of the aneurysm. However, it is not fully understood why some aneurysms fail to develop a stable clot even with sufficient levels of flow reduction. Computational prediction of thrombus formation dynamics can help predict the post-operative response in such challenging cases. In this work, we propose a new model of thrombus formation and platelet dynamics inside intracranial aneurysms. Our novel contribution combines platelet activation and transport with fibrin generation, which is key to characterising stable and unstable thrombus. The model is based on two types of thrombus inside aneurysms: red thrombus (fibrin- and erythrocyte-rich) can be found in unstable clots, while white thrombus (fibrin- and platelet-rich) can be found in stable clots. The thrombus generation model is coupled to a CFD model and the flow-induced platelet index (FiPi) is defined as a quantitative measure of clot stability. Our model is validated against an in vitro phantom study of two flow-diverting stents with different sizing. We demonstrate that our model accurately predicts the lower thrombus stability in the oversized stent scenario. This opens possibilities for using computational simulations to improve endovascular treatment planning and reduce adverse events, such as delayed haemorrhage of flow-diverted aneurysms.

A growth model of saccular aneurysms based on hemodynamic and morphologic discriminant parameters for risk of rupture

The aim of this study was to derive a model describing the evolution of bifurcation type cerebral aneurysms based on morphological and hemodynamic parameters. Idealized bifurcation models were constructed based on the two morphological parameters of aspect ratio (AR) and size ratio (SR). Aneurysm development was investigated according to the following four patterns: R1, increasing SR with constant AR; R2, increasing AR with constant SR; R3, increasing SR and increasing AR; R4, increasing AR with constant parent artery diameter. Relationships were obtained between energy loss (EL) and morphological parameters (EL-SR and EL-AR curves). The curves were validated by mapping the growth of a ruptured patient-specific bifurcation aneurysm at three stages of follow-up. EL increased in parallel with growth patterns R1 and R3, whereas growth pattern R2 showed a decrease in EL. No significant changes were observed in EL when the growth of the aneurysm was associated only with changes in aneurysm size and independent of changes in parent artery diameter and main flow (R4). Changes in parent artery diameter of bifurcation aneurysms resulted in significant variation in EL. Mapping the growth of a follow-up aneurysm onto the EL-AR curve demonstrated that aneurysms with increasing EL during the observation period are at higher risk of rupture than aneurysms with decreasing EL. Based on the proposed growth model, assessment of morphological (AR and SR) and hemodynamic (EL) parameters may provide quantifiable information on the risk of bifurcation aneurysm rupture during clinical patient follow-up.

Effect of saccular aneurysm and parent artery morphology on hemodynamics of cerebral bifurcation aneurysms

Morphological descriptors of aneurysms have been used to assess aneurysm rupture. This study investigated the relation between the morphological parameters and the flow related parameter of energy loss (EL). Four size indices and one shape index were assessed in idealized middle cerebral artery models with various aneurysm morphologies. Four patient-specific aneurysms (2 ruptured, 2 unruptured) were virtually manipulated by removing the aneurysms from their parent arteries and merging them with the idealized bifurcation models. EL was calculated from the energy difference between inflow and outflow. The results indicate that among size indices, EL is mostly dependent on bottleneck factor and less dependent on the aspect ratio. Results also showed that there is a direct relationship between nonsphericity index (NSI) and EL in manipulated models. No specific correlation was found between EL and NSI in patient-specific models.