Original Research: Sickle cell anemia and pediatric strokes: Computational fluid dynamics analysis in the middle cerebral artery

Comparison of computational fluid dynamics with transcranial Doppler ultrasound in response to physiological stimuli

Cerebrovascular haemodynamics are sensitive to multiple physiological stimuli that require synergistic response to maintain adequate perfusion. Understanding haemodynamic changes within cerebral arteries is important to inform how the brain regulates perfusion; however, methods for direct measurement of cerebral haemodynamics in these environments are challenging. The aim of this study was to assess velocity waveform metrics obtained using transcranial Doppler (TCD) with flow-conserving subject-specific three-dimensional (3D) simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Twelve healthy participants underwent head and neck imaging with 3 T magnetic resonance angiography. Velocity waveforms in the middle cerebral artery were measured with TCD ultrasound, while diameter and velocity were measured using duplex ultrasound in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries to calculate incoming cerebral flow at rest, during hypercapnia and exercise. CFD simulations were developed for each condition, with velocity waveform metrics extracted in the same insonation region as TCD. Exposure to stimuli induced significant changes in cardiorespiratory measures across all participants. Measured absolute TCD velocities were significantly higher than those calculated from CFD (P range < 0.001-0.004), and these data were not correlated across conditions (r range 0.030-0.377, P range 0.227-0.925). However, relative changes in systolic and time-averaged velocity from resting levels exhibited significant positive correlations when the distinct techniques were compared (r range 0.577-0.770, P range 0.003-0.049). Our data indicate that while absolute measures of cerebral velocity differ between TCD and 3D CFD simulation, physiological changes from resting levels in systolic and time-averaged velocity are significantly correlated between techniques.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Induced Neuroprotection in Pediatric Neurological Diseases: Recent Update of Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Utility

Pediatric neurological diseases refer to a group of disorders that affect the nervous system in children. These conditions can have a significant impact on a child's development, cognitive function, motor skills, and overall quality of life. Stem cell therapy is a new and innovative approach to treat various neurological conditions by repairing damaged neurons and replacing those that have been lost. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained significant recognition in this regard due to their ability to differentiate into different cell types. MSCs are multipotent self-replicating stem cells known to render promising results in the treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury in adults. When delivered to the foci of damage in the central nervous system, stem cells begin to differentiate into neural cells under the stimulation of paracrine factors and secrete various neurotrophic factors (NTFs) like nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) that expedite the repair process in injured neurons. In the present review, we will focus on the therapeutic benefits of the MSC-based therapies in salient pediatric neurological disorders including cerebral palsy, stroke, and autism.

Molecular and environmental contributors to neurological complications in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy in which affected hemoglobin polymerizes under hypoxic conditions resulting in red cell distortion and chronic hemolytic anemia. SCD affects millions of people worldwide, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Due to vaso-occlusion of sickled red cells within the microvasculature, SCD affects virtually every organ system and causes significant morbidity and early mortality. The neurological complications of SCD are particularly devastating and diverse, ranging from overt stroke to covert cerebral injury, including silent cerebral infarctions and blood vessel tortuosity. However, even individuals without evidence of neuroanatomical changes in brain imaging have evidence of cognitive deficits compared to matched healthy controls likely due to chronic cerebral hypoxemia and neuroinflammation. In this review, we first examined the biological contributors to SCD-related neurological complications and then discussed the equally important socioenvironmental contributors. We then discuss the evidence for neuroprotection from the two primary disease-modifying therapies, chronic monthly blood transfusions and hydroxyurea, and end with several experimental therapies designed to specifically target these complications.

Effect of Blood Transfusion on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Vascular Topology Described by Computational Fluid Dynamics in Sickle Cell Disease Patients

The main objective of this study was to demonstrate that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling can be used to study the contribution of covert and overt vascular architecture to the risk for cerebrovascular disease in sickle cell disease (SCD) and to determine the mechanisms of response to therapy such as chronic red blood cell (cRBC) transfusions. We analyzed baseline (screening), pre-randomization and study exit magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) images from 10 (5 each from the transfusion and observation arms) pediatric sickle SCD participants in the silent cerebral infarct transfusion (SIT) trial using CFD modeling. We reconstructed the intracranial portion of the internal carotid artery and branches and extracted the geometry using 3D Slicer. We cut specific portions of the large intracranial artery to include segments of the internal carotid, middle, anterior, and posterior cerebral arteries such that the vessel segment analyzed extended from the intracranial beginning of the internal carotid artery up to immediately after (~0.25 inches) the middle cerebral artery branching point. Cut models were imported into Ansys 2021R2/2022R1 and laminar and time-dependent flow simulation was performed. Change in time averaged mean velocity, wall shear stress, and vessel tortuosity were compared between the observation and cRBC arms. We did not observe a correlation between time averaged mean velocity (TAMV) and mean transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity at study entry. There was also no difference in change in time average mean velocity, wall shear stress (WSS), and vessel tortuosity between the observation and cRBC transfusion arms. WSS and TAMV were abnormal for 2 (developed TIA) out of the 3 participants (one participant had silent cerebral infarctions) that developed neurovascular outcomes. CFD approaches allow for the evaluation of vascular topology and hemodynamics in SCD using MRA images. In this proof of principle study, we show that CFD could be a useful tool and we intend to carry out future studies with a larger sample to enable more robust conclusions.

Characterizing Intracranial Hemodynamics in Sickle Cell Anemia: Impact of Patient-Specific Viscosity

PURPOSE

Pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at increased risk of stroke and cerebrovascular accident. In the general adult population, there is a relationship between arterial hemodynamics and pathology; however, this relationship in SCA patients remains to be elucidated. The aim of this work was to characterize circle of Willis hemodynamics in patients with SCA and quantify the impact of viscosity choice on pathophysiologically-relevant hemodynamics measures.

METHODS

Based on measured vascular geometries, time-varying flow rates, and blood parameters, detailed patient-specific simulations of the circle of Willis were conducted for SCA patients (n = 6). Simulations quantified the impact of patient-specific and standard blood viscosities on wall shear stress (WSS).

RESULTS

These results demonstrated that use of a standard blood viscosity introduces large errors into the estimation of pathophysiologically-relevant hemodynamic parameters. Standard viscosity models overpredicted peak WSS by 55% and 49% for steady and pulsatile flow, respectively. Moreover, these results demonstrated non-uniform, spatial patterns of positive and negative WSS errors related to viscosity, and standard viscosity simulations overpredicted the time-averaged WSS by 32% (standard deviation = 7.1%). Finally, differences in shear rate demonstrated that the viscosity choice alters the simulated near-wall flow field, impacting hemodynamics measures.

CONCLUSIONS

This work presents simulations of circle of Willis arterial flow in SCA patients and demonstrates the importance and feasibility of using a patient-specific viscosity in these simulations. Accurately characterizing cerebrovascular hemodynamics in SCA populations has potential for elucidating the pathophysiology of large-vessel occlusion, aneurysms, and tissue damage in these patients.

Image-based patient-specific flow simulations are consistent with stroke in pediatric cerebrovascular disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by narrowing of the distal internal carotid artery and the circle of Willis (CoW) and leads to recurring ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. A retrospective review of data from 50 pediatric MMD patients revealed that among the 24 who had a unilateral stroke and were surgically treated, 11 (45.8%) had a subsequent, contralateral stroke. There is no reliable way to predict these events. After a pilot study in Acta-/- mice that have features of MMD, we hypothesized that local hemodynamics are predictive of contralateral strokes and sought to develop a patient-specific analysis framework to noninvasively assess this stroke risk. A pediatric MMD patient with an occlusion in the right middle cerebral artery and a right-sided stroke, who was surgically treated and then had a contralateral stroke, was selected for analysis. By using an unsteady Navier-Stokes solver within an isogeometric analysis framework, blood flow was simulated in the CoW model reconstructed from the patient's postoperative imaging data, and the results were compared with those from an age- and sex-matched control subject. A wall shear rate (WSR) > 60,000 s-1 (about 12 × higher than the coagulation threshold of 5000 s-1 and 9 × higher than control) was measured in the terminal left supraclinoid artery; its location coincided with that of the subsequent postsurgical left-sided stroke. A parametric study of disease progression revealed a strong correlation between the degree of vascular morphology altered by MMD and local hemodynamic environment. The results suggest that an occlusion in the CoW could lead to excessive contralateral WSRs, resulting in thromboembolic ischemic events, and that WSR could be a predictor of future stroke.

A cross-sectional, case-control study of intracranial arterial wall thickness and complete blood count measures in sickle cell disease

In sickle cell disease (SCD), cerebral oxygen delivery is dependent on the cerebral vasculature's ability to increase blood flow and volume through relaxation of the smooth muscle that lines intracranial arteries. We hypothesised that anaemia extent and/or circulating markers of inflammation lead to concentric macrovascular arterial wall thickening, visible on intracranial vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI). Adult and pediatric SCD (n = 69; age = 19.9 ± 8.6 years) participants and age- and sex-matched control participants (n = 38; age = 22.2 ± 8.9 years) underwent 3-Tesla VW-MRI; two raters measured basilar and bilateral supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) wall thickness independently. Mean wall thickness was compared with demographic, cerebrovascular and haematological variables. Mean vessel wall thickness was elevated (P < 0·001) in SCD (1·07 ± 0·19 mm) compared to controls (0·97 ± 0·07 mm) after controlling for age and sex. Vessel wall thickness was higher in participants on chronic transfusions (P = 0·013). No significant relationship between vessel wall thickness and flow velocity, haematocrit, white blood cell count or platelet count was observed; however, trends (P < 0·10) for wall thickness increasing with decreasing haematocrit and increasing white blood cell count were noted. Findings are discussed in the context of how anaemia and circulating inflammatory markers may impact arterial wall morphology.

From Experiments to Simulation: Shear-Induced Responses of Red Blood Cells to Different Oxygen Saturation Levels

Red blood cells (RBC) carry and deliver oxygen (O₂) to peripheral tissues through different microcirculatory regions where they are exposed to various levels of shear stress (SS). O₂ affinity of hemoglobin (Hb) decreases as the blood enters the microcirculation. This phenomenon determines Hb interactions with RBC membrane proteins that can further regulate the structure of cytoskeleton and affect the mechanical properties of cells. The goal of this study is to evaluate shear-induced RBC deformability and simulate RBC dynamics in blood flow under oxygenated and deoxygenated conditions. Venous blood samples from healthy donors were oxygenated with ambient air or deoxygenated with 100% nitrogen gas for 10 min and immediately applied into an ektacytometer (LORRCA). RBC deformability was measured before and after the application of continuous 5 Pa SS for 300 s by LORRCA and recorded as elongation index (EI) values. A computational model was generated for the simulation of blood flow in a real carotid artery section. EI distribution throughout the artery and its relationships with velocity, pressure, wall SS and viscosity were determined by computational tools. RBC deformability significantly increased in deoxygenation compared to oxygenated state both before and after 5 Pa SS implementation (p < 0.0001). However, EI values after continuous SS were not significant at higher SS levels (>5.15 Pa) in deoxygenated condition. Simulation results revealed that the velocity gradient dominates the generation of SS and the shear thinning effect of blood has a minor effect on it. Distribution of EI was calculated during oxygenation/deoxygenation which is 5-10 times higher around the vessel wall compared to the center of the lumen for sections of the pulsatile flow profile. The extent of RBC deformability increases as RBCs approach to the vessel wall in a real 3D artery model and this increment is higher for deoxygenated condition compared to the oxygenated state. Hypoxia significantly increases shear-induced RBC deformability. RBCs could regulate their own mechanical properties in blood flow by increasing their deformability in hypoxic conditions. Computational tools can be applied for defining hypoxia-mediated RBC deformability changes to monitor blood flow in hypoxic tissues.

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels and Its Correlation to Cerebral Blood Flow in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular stroke in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA). To assess the plasma level of ADMA in children with SCA and its correlation to cerebral blood flow. This is a cross sectional study was carried out on 30 children with homozygous SCA under follow up in the Out Patients Clinic, Pediatric Department at Tanta University Hospital and 30 healthy children as a control group. Both groups had undergone the following investigations: Complete blood count, lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, and plasma level of ADMA by a commercial ADMA ELISA Kit. Trans-cranial Doppler were done for both groups. ADMA plasma level was significantly higher in-patient group in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001), with a mean value 1.43 ± 0.20 μmol/l, 0.48 ± 0.16 μmol/l respectively. The time-averaged mean maximum velocities for middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, inferior cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery were significantly different between patient and control group, p < 0.05. Trans-cranial Doppler data revealed that, 86.7% of patients have low velocity (< 70 cm/s) and 13.3% having very low velocity (< 10 cm/s) while control group have normal velocity. There was a significant negative correlation between ADMA plasma levels and cerebral blood flow. Elevated ADMA levels may have a role in the pathogenesis of the decreased cerebral blood flow in children with SCA.

Simulated datasets for population dynamics of sickle cell anaemia

The datasets contained in this article are simulated data with respect to Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in order to examine the mathematical inheritance formation of the SCA disease. The simulation is done using Monte Carlos Simulation (MCS) Technique to complement the Physical Simulation Smith's Statistical (PSSS) package used as random number generator for birth simulation. One hundred and fifty-six (156) births for seven (7) generations were considered in the simulation alongside non-gestating reproductive females with fertile male adults while immigration and emigration are not permitted. These datasets can effectively serve as benchmarks for both health, and marital counselling institutions.

Intracranial 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging reveals altered haemodynamics in sickle cell disease

Stroke risk in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is currently assessed with routine transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) measurements of blood velocity in the Circle of Willis (CoW). However, there is currently no biomarker with proven prognostic value in adult patients. Four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may improve risk profiling based on intracranial haemodynamics. We conducted neurovascular 4D flow MRI and blood sampling in 69 SCD patients [median age 15 years (interquartile range, IQR: 12-50)] and 14 healthy controls [median age 21 years (IQR: 18-43)]. We measured velocity, flow, lumen area and endothelial shear stress (ESS) in the CoW. SCD patients had lower haematocrit and viscosity, and higher velocity, flow and lumen area, with lower ESS compared to healthy controls. We observed significant age-related decline in haemodynamic 4D flow parameters; velocity (Spearman's ρ = -0·36 to -0·61), flow (ρ = -0·26 to -0·52) and ESS (ρ = -0·14 to -0·54) in SCD patients. Further analysis in only adults showed that velocity values were similar in SCD patients compared to healthy controls, but that the additional 4D flow parameters, flow and lumen area, were higher, and ESS lower, in the SCD group. Our data suggest that 4D flow MRI may identify adult patients with an increased stroke risk more accurately than current TCD-based velocity.