Numerical simulation of steady flow fields in a model of abdominal aorta with its peripheral branches

Patient-Specific Image-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Abdominal Aorta and Branches

The complicated abdominal aorta and its branches are a portion of the circulatory system prone to developing atherosclerotic plaque and aneurysms. These disorders are closely connected to the changing blood flow environment that the area’s complicated architecture produces (between celiac artery and iliac artery bifurcation); this phenomenon is widespread at arterial bifurcations. Based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans, this current work offers a numerical analysis of a patient-specific reconstruction of the abdominal aorta and its branches to identify and emphasize the most likely areas to develop atherosclerosis. The simulations were run following the heart cycle and under physiological settings. The wall shear stress (WSS), velocity field, and streamlines were examined. According to the findings, complex flow is primarily present at the location of arterial bifurcations, where abnormal flow patterns create recirculation zones with low and fluctuating WSS (<0.5 Pa), which are known to affect endothelial homeostasis and cause adverse vessel remodeling. The study provides a patient-specific hemodynamic analysis model, which couples in vivo CT imaging with in silico simulation under physiological circumstances. The study offers quantitative data on the range fluctuations of important hemodynamic parameters, such as WSS and recirculation region expansion, which are directly linked to the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. The findings could also help drug targeting at this vascular level by understanding blood flow patterns in the abdominal aorta and its branches.

Numerical Study of the Unsteady Flow in Simplified and Realistic Iliac Bifurcation Models

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death and disability worldwide and they are commonly associated with the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaque deposition in the vessel walls, a process denoted as atherosclerosis. This is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease of large-/medium-sized blood vessels that affects blood flow profiles, with the abdominal aorta and its branches being one of the locations prone to the development of this pathology, due to their curvatures and bifurcations. In this regard, the effect of flow patterns was studied and compared for both a simplified three-dimensional model of aorta bifurcation on the iliac arteries and a realistic model of iliac bifurcation, which was constructed from a computational tomography medical image. The flow patterns were analyzed in terms of velocity and wall shear stress distribution, but a special focus was given to the size and location of the recirculation zone. The simulations were performed using the Computational Fluid Dynamics software, FLUENT, taking into account the cardiac cycle profile at the infrarenal aorta. The shear stress and the velocity distribution observed for both models indicated that higher shear stress occurred along the flow divider wall (inner wall) and low shear stress occurred along the outer walls. In addition, the results demonstrated that the wall shear stress profiles were deeply affected by the transient profile of the cardiac cycle, with the deceleration phase being the most critical phase to the occurrence of backflow.

Numerical Simulation of Blood Flows in Patient-specific Abdominal Aorta with Primary Organs

The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity that supplies blood flows to vital organs through the complex visceral arterial branches, including the celiac trunk (the liver, stomach, spleen, etc.), the renal arteries (the kidneys) and the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries (the small and large intestine, pancreas, etc.). An accurate simulation of blood flows in this network of arteries is important for the understanding of the hemodynamics in various organs of healthy and diseased patients, but the computational cost is very high. As a result, most researchers choose to focus on a portion of the artery or use a low-dimensional approximation of the artery. In the present work, we introduce a parallel algorithm for the modeling of pulsatile flows in the abdominal aorta with branches to the primary organs, and an organ-based two-level method for calculating the resistances for the outflow boundary conditions. With this highly parallel approach, the simulation of the blood flow for a cardiac cycle of the anatomically detailed aorta can be obtained within a few hours, and the blood distribution to organs including liver, spleen and kidneys are also computed with certain accuracy. Moreover, we discuss the significant hemodynamic differences resulted from the influence of the peripheral branches. In addition, we examine the accuracy of the results with respect to the mesh size and time-step size and show the high parallel scalability of the proposed algorithm with up to 3000 processor cores.

Stent graft coverage of dual-stent strategy in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a stent graft (SG) and a multilayer stent (MS) is a key technology in isolating flow fields. Clinically, dual stents (an SG in the proximal and an MS in the distal of AAA) are used for treatment of AAA, but only a few studies have examined the relationship between SG coverage and treatment effects. Through numerical simulation of the hemodynamics after SG and MS implantation, the SG coverage and position were simulated at 0% (0 mm), 25% (13.75 mm), 50% (27.5 mm), and 75% (41.25 mm). With increasing SG coverage, the pressure on the aneurysm sac wall and the flow of branch vessels gradually decreased, and the lower wall shear stress (WSS) gradually increased. The changes in pressure, lower WSS, and the mass flow rate of the branch vessels did not change significantly. The coverage of the SG has a nonsignificant effect on hemodynamics in the treatment of AAA; the implantation position need not be very precise. This research can provide theoretic support for clinicians' decision-making.

Investigation of the hemodynamics of a juxtarenal aortic aneurysm with intervention by dual-stents strategy

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of using two stents (a combination of multilayer stent [MS] and stent graft [SG]) in the treatment of a juxtarenal aortic aneurysm that involves a significant branch artery and to determine the advantages and disadvantages of using SGs upstream and downstream from the aneurysm so as to provide some theoretical guidance for preoperative clinical decision-making in the future.

METHODS

Four ideal geometric models were established for numerical computation: case 1 refers to an aneurysm without the use of stents, case 2 represents the implantation of two MSs in an aneurysm, and case 3 (SG + MS) and case 4 (MS + SG) both involve the treatment of an aneurysm by using a combination of SG and MG.

RESULTS

The aneurysm pressure is slightly lower and there are more vortices when the SG is implanted (case 3 and case 4). In particular, for case 4, additional vortices appear in the sac and the area of the low-wall shear stress is larger on the aneurysm compared with those of the other three cases. However, the pressure becomes uneven, and a peak pressure region is observed on the wall of the aneurysm, and therefore, the aneurysmal wall will become buckled. In addition, the flux of the renal artery in the four cases is greater than that in the normal case.

CONCLUSION

The arrangements in cases 3 and 4 can effectively isolate the aneurysm from circulation, but clinically, it is necessary to avoid such a high-risk situation wherein the SG is positioned downstream of the aneurysm (case 4), even though this leads to improved isolation.

Hemodynamic variations due to spiral blood flow through four patient-specific bifurcated stent graft configurations for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Endovascular repair is now a recognised procedure for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, post-operative complications such as stent graft migration and thrombus may still occur. To assess these complications numerically, the correct input boundary conditions, which include the full human aorta with associated branching, should be included. Four patient-specific computed tomography scanned bifurcated stent grafts (SGs) were modelled and attached onto a full human aorta, which included the ascending, aortic arch and descending aortas. Two of the SG geometries had a twisted leg configuration, while the other two had conventional nontwisted leg configurations. Computational fluid dynamics was completed for both geometries and the hemodynamics assessed. The complexity of the flow patterns and secondary flows were influenced by the inclusion of the full human aorta at the SG proximal section. During the decelerating phase significant recirculations occurred along the main body of all SG configurations. The inclusion of the full human aorta did not impact the velocity contours within the distal legs and there was no difference in drag forces with the SG containing the full human aorta and those without. A twisted leg configuration further promoted a spiral flow formation along its distal legs.

Stent graft performance in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: the influence of compliance and geometry

The long-term success of the endovascular procedure for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs ) depends on the secure fixation of the proximal end and the geometry of the stent-graft (SG) device. Variations in SG types can affect proximal fixation and SG hemodynamics. Such hemodynamic variations can have a catastrophic effect on the vascular system and may result from a SG/arterial wall compliance mismatch and the sudden decrease in cross-sectional area at the bifurcation, which may result in decreased distal perfusion, increased pressure wave reflection and increased stress at the interface between the stented and non-stented portion of the vessel. To examine this compliance mismatch, a commercial SG device was tested experimentally under a physiological pressure condition in a silicone AAA model based on computed tomography scans. There was a considerable reduction in compliance of 54% and an increase in the pulse wave velocity of 21%, with a significant amount of the forward pressure wave being reflected. To examine the SG geometrical effects, a commercial bifurcated geometry was compared computationally and experimentally with a geometrical taper in the form of a blended section, which provided a smooth transition from the proximal end to both iliac legs. The sudden contraction of commercial SG at the bifurcation region causes flow separation within the iliac legs, which is known to cause SG occlusion and increased proximal pressure. The blended section along the bifurcation region promotes a greater uniformity of the fluid flow field within the distal legs, especially, during the deceleration phase with reduced boundary layer reversal. In order to reduce the foregoing losses, abrupt changes of cross-section should be avoided. Geometrical tapers could lead to improved clinical outcomes for AAA SGs.

PULSATILE FLOW FIELDS IN A MODEL OF ABDOMINAL AORTA WITH ITS PERIPHERAL BRANCHES

In a previous study by the authors, steady flow fields in a model of abdominal aorta with its seven peripheral branches were reported. In the present study, the some aorta model was simulated numerically with a pulsatile inlet waves for both the resting and exercise conditions. The baseline pulsatile flow field was presented in terms of velocity vectors and iso-velocity contours as well as the wall shear stress (WSS) distribution and the recirculation zones. The time-averaged behavior of the flow field represented by the fluid dynamic factors was discussed. The results were consistent with those obtained experimentally and numerically by other investigators. It was also found that under the present conditions, the steady flow behavior could adequately describe the time-averaged behavior of its corresponding pulsatile case, particularly in the regions where convective flow dominated. The present computer code may provide a platform for clinical simulations.

Vascular corrosion casting: analyzing wall shear stress in the portal vein and vascular abnormalities in portal hypertensive and cirrhotic rodents

Vascular corrosion casting is an established method of anatomical preparation that has recently been revived and has proven to be an excellent tool for detailed three-dimensional (3D) morphological examination of normal and pathological microcirculation. In addition, the geometry provided by vascular casts can be further used to calculate wall shear stress (WSS) in a vascular bed using computational techniques. In the first part of this study, the microvascular morphological changes associated with portal hypertension (PHT) and cirrhosis in vascular casts are described. The second part of this study consists of a quantitative analysis of the WSS in the portal vein in casts of different animal models of PHT and cirrhosis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Microvascular changes in the splanchnic, hepatic and pulmonary territory of portal hypertensive and cirrhotic mice are described in detail with stereomicroscopic examination and scanning electron microscopy. To our knowledge, our results are the first to report the vascular changes in the common bile duct ligation cirrhotic model. Calculating WSS using CFD methods is a feasible technique in PHT and cirrhosis, enabling the differentiation between different animal models. First, a dimensional analysis was performed, followed by a CFD calculation describing the spatial and temporal WSS distributions in the portal vein. WSS was significantly different between sham/cirrhotic/pure PHT animals with the highest values in the latter. Up till now, no techniques have been developed to quantify WSS in the portal vein in laboratory animals. This study showed for the first time that vascular casting has an important role not only in the morphological evaluation of animal models of PHT and cirrhosis, but also in defining the biological response of the portal vein wall to hemodynamic changes. CFD in 3D geometries can be used to describe the spatial and temporal variations in WSS in the portal vein and to better understand the forces affecting mechanotransduction in the endothelium.

CFD and PTV steady flow investigation in an anatomically accurate abdominal aortic aneurysm

There is considerable interest in computational and experimental flow investigations within abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). This task stipulates advanced grid generation techniques and cross-validation because of the anatomical complexity. The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of velocity measurements by particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) in realistic AAA models. Computed tomography and rapid prototyping were combined to digitize and construct a silicone replica of a patient-specific AAA. Three-dimensional velocity measurements were acquired using PTV under steady averaged resting boundary conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were subsequently carried out with identical boundary conditions. The computational grid was created by splitting the luminal volume into manifold and nonmanifold subsections. They were filled with tetrahedral and hexahedral elements, respectively. Grid independency was tested on three successively refined meshes. Velocity differences of about 1% in all three directions existed mainly within the AAA sack. Pressure revealed similar variations, with the sparser mesh predicting larger values. PTV velocity measurements were taken along the abdominal aorta and showed good agreement with the numerical data. The results within the aneurysm neck and sack showed average velocity variations of about 5% of the mean inlet velocity. The corresponding average differences increased for all velocity components downstream the iliac bifurcation to as much as 15%. The two domains differed slightly due to flow-induced forces acting on the silicone model. Velocity quantification through narrow branches was problematic due to decreased signal to noise ratio at the larger local velocities. Computational wall pressure and shear fields are also presented. The agreement between CFD simulations and the PTV experimental data was confirmed by three-dimensional velocity comparisons at several locations within the investigated AAA anatomy indicating the feasibility of this approach.

Pseudo-organ boundary conditions applied to a computational fluid dynamics model of the human aorta

In three-dimensional numerical studies of the aorta, it is difficult to apply proper boundary conditions at the end of each major aortic branch because of interactions between blood and organs. Organs and body parts were assumed to be likened to cylindrically shaped porous media, so-called pseudo-organs, and treated in the computational domain as forms of hemodynamic resistance. Permeability functions were determined from two-dimensional axisymmetric computations of each aortic branch and these functions were then used in an unsteady three-dimensional simulation of the complete aorta. Substantially accurate cardiac output (5.91 L/min) and blood distributions to the major branches were predicted.

A model of blood flow in the mesenteric arterial system

Background

There are some early clinical indicators of cardiac ischemia, most notably a change in a person's electrocardiogram. Less well understood, but potentially just as dangerous, is ischemia that develops in the gastrointestinal system. Such ischemia is difficult to diagnose without angiography (an invasive and time-consuming procedure) mainly due to the highly unspecific nature of the disease.

Understanding how perfusion is affected during ischemic conditions can be a useful clinical tool which can help clinicians during the diagnosis process. As a first step towards this final goal, a computational model of the gastrointestinal system has been developed and used to simulate realistic blood flow during normal conditions.

Methods

An anatomically and biophysically based model of the major mesenteric arteries has been developed to be used to simulate normal blood flows. The computational mesh used for the simulations has been generated using data from the Visible Human project. The 3D Navier-Stokes equations that govern flow within this mesh have been simplified to an efficient 1D scheme. This scheme, together with a constitutive pressure-radius relationship, has been solved numerically for pressure, vessel radius and velocity for the entire mesenteric arterial network.

Results

The computational model developed shows close agreement with physiologically realistic geometries other researchers have recorded in vivo. Using this model as a framework, results were analyzed for the four distinct phases of the cardiac cycle – diastole, isovolumic contraction, ejection and isovolumic relaxation. Profiles showing the temporally varying pressure and velocity for a periodic input varying between 10.2 kPa (77 mmHg) and 14.6 kPa (110 mmHg) at the abdominal aorta are presented. An analytical solution has been developed to model blood flow in tapering vessels and when compared with the numerical solution, showed excellent agreement.

Conclusion

An anatomically and physiologically realistic computational model of the major mesenteric arteries has been developed for the gastrointestinal system. Using this model, blood flow has been simulated which show physiologically realistic flow profiles.

Effects of major endoleaks on a stented abdominal aortic aneurysm

Insertion of a stent-graft into an aneurysm, especially abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), is a very attractive surgical intervention; however, it is not without major postoperative complications, such as endoleaks. An endoleak is the transient accumulation of blood in the AAA cavity, which is formed by the stent-graft and AAA walls. Of the four blood pathways, a type I endoleak constitutes the major one. Thus, focusing on both proximal and distal type I endoleaks, i.e., the minute net influx of blood past the attachment points of a stent-graft into the AAA cavity, the transient three-dimensional interactions between luminal blood flow stent-graft wall, leakage flow, and AAA wall are computationally simulated. For different type I endoleak scenarios and inlet pressure wave forms, the impact of type I endoleaks on cavity pressure, wall stress, and stent-graft migration force is analyzed. The results indicate that both proximal type I-a and distal type I-b endoleaks may cause cavity pressures close to a patient's systemic pressure; however, with reduced pulsatility. As a result, the AAA-wall stress is elevated up to the level of a nonstented AAA and, hence, such endoleaks render the implant useless in protecting the AAA from possible rupture. Interestingly enough, the net downward force acting on the implant is significantly reduced; thus, in the presence of endoleaks, the risk of stent-graft migration may be mitigated.

Computational analysis of type II endoleaks in a stented abdominal aortic aneurysm model

Insertion of a stent-graft into an aneurysm to form a new (synthetic) blood vessel and prevent the weakened artery wall from rupture is an attractive surgical intervention when compared to traditional open surgery. However, focusing on a stented abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), post-operative complications such as endoleaks may occur. An endoleak is the net influx of blood during the cardiac cycle into the cavity (or sac) formed by the stent-graft and the AAA wall. A natural endoleak source may stem from one or two secondary branches leading to and from the aneurysm, labeled types IIa and IIb endoleaks. Employing experimentally validated fluid-structure interaction solvers, the transient 3-D lumen and cavity blood flows, wall movements, pressure variations, maximum wall stresses and migration forces were computed for types IIa and IIb endoleaks. Simulation results indicate that the sac pressure caused by these endoleaks depends largely on the inlet branch pressure, where the branch inlet pressure increases, the sac pressure may reach the systemic level and AAA-rupture is possible. The maximum wall stress is typically located near the anterior-distal side in this model, while the maximum stent-graft stress occurs near the bifurcating point, in both cases, due to local stress concentrations. The time-varying leakage rate depends on the pressure difference between AAA sac and inlet branch. In contrast, the stent-graft migration force is reduced by type II endoleaks because it greatly depends on the pressure difference between the stent-graft and the aneurysm cavity.

Fate of the Visceral Aortic Patch After Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the fate of a visceral aortic patch (VAP) in patients that underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair.

METHODS

We reviewed 204 consecutive patients (158 M, 46 F) treated for TAAA between 1988 and 2004. We performed VAP in 182 cases. Among the 149 survivors at 6 months, we followed 138 cases, mean follow-up 7 years (range 0.6-16 years). The mean graft diameter we used was 29mm (range 24-34mm) from 1988 to 1999 (83 patients), and 21.7mm (range 16-24mm) from 2000 to 2003 (55 patients). In 23% of cases we performed a separate bypass to the left renal artery.

RESULTS

We observed 16 (12%) VAP dilatations (<5cm), 6 (4%) VAP aneurysms (>5cm) and one VAP pseudoaneurysm, at a mean time of 6 years after atherosclerotic TAAA was atherosclerotic repair. There were no VAP dilatations/aneurysms in the group of patients with separate left renal revascularization. Five VAP aneurysms were treated electively. In four cases the operation was performed with thoracophrenolaparotomy, in one case with a bilateral subcostal laparotomy. In all cases the visceral aorta was re-grafted. Reimplantation of a single undersized VAP was performed in one case, separate revascularization of visceral arteries was performed in the other four cases. Selective intraoperative hypothermic perfusion of visceral and renal arteries was used in all the patients. There was 1 perioperative death; 2 patients with preoperative renal failure required dialysis. The last VAP aneurysm has remained asymptomatic and stable at annual CT surveillance. The VAP pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with an emergency thoracophrenolaparotomy and refashioning the left side suture line.

CONCLUSIONS

Aneurysm of VAP is not uncommon in the patients operated on using larger grafts with a single VAP that includes the LRA (7.4%, 5/67 cases). Its treatment carries significant morbidity and mortality.