Juan R. Cebral

Efficient pipeline for image-based patient-specific analysis of cerebral aneurysm hemodynamics: technique and sensitivity

Hemodynamic factors are thought to be implicated in the progression and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Current efforts aim to study the possible associations of hemodynamic characteristics such as complexity and stability of intra-aneurysmal flow patterns, size and location of the region of flow impingement with the clinical history of aneurysmal rupture. However, there are no reliable methods for measuring blood flow patterns in vivo. In this paper, an efficient methodology for patient-specific modeling and characterization of the hemodynamics in cerebral aneurysms from medical images is described. A sensitivity analysis of the hemodynamic characteristics with respect to variations of several variables over the expected physiologic range of conditions is also presented. This sensitivity analysis shows that although changes in the velocity fields can be observed, the characterization of the intra-aneurysmal flow patterns is not altered when the mean input flow, the flow division, the viscosity model, or mesh resolution are changed. It was also found that the variable that has the greater impact on the computed flow fields is the geometry of the vascular structures. We conclude that with the proposed modeling pipeline clinical studies involving large numbers cerebral aneurysms are feasible.

Association of Hemodynamic Characteristics and Cerebral Aneurysm Rupture

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemodynamic factors are thought to play an important role in the initiation, growth, and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. This report describes a study of the associations between qualitative intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics and the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ten consecutive aneurysms were analyzed by using patient-specific CFD simulations under pulsatile flow conditions. The aneurysms were classified into categories by 2 blinded observers, depending on the complexity and stability of the flow pattern, size of the impingement region, and inflow concentration. A statistical analysis was then performed with respect to the history of previous rupture. Interobserver variability analysis was performed. RESULTS: Ruptured aneurysms were more likely to have complex flow patterns (83%, P < .001), stable flow patterns (75%, P = .0018), concentrated inflow (66%, P = <.0001), and small impingement regions (76%, P = .0006) compared with unruptured aneurysms. Interobserver variability analyses indicated that all the classifications performed were in very good agreement—that is, well within the 95% CI. CONCLUSIONS: A qualitative hemodynamic analysis of cerebral aneurysms by using image-based patient-specific geometries has shown that concentrated inflow jets, small impingement regions, complex flow patterns, and unstable flow patterns are correlated with a clinical history of prior aneurysm rupture. These qualitative measures provide a starting point for more sophisticated quantitative analysis aimed at assigning aneurysm risk of future rupture. These analyses highlight the potential for CFD to play an important role in the clinical determination of aneurysm risks.

Aneurysm Rupture Following Treatment with Flow-Diverting Stents: Computational Hemodynamics Analysis of Treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow-diverting approaches to intracranial aneurysm treatment had many promising early results, but recent apparently successful treatments have been complicated by later aneurysm hemorrhage. We analyzed 7 cases of aneurysms treated with flow diversion to explore the possible rupture mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CFD analysis of pre- and posttreatment conditions was performed on 3 giant aneurysms that ruptured after treatment and 4 successfully treated aneurysms. Pre- and posttreatment hemodynamics were compared including WSS, relative blood flows, vascular resistances, and pressures, to identify the effects of flow-diverter placements. RESULTS: Expected reductions in aneurysm velocity and WSS were obtained, indicating effective flow diversion from the sac into the parent artery, consistent with periprocedural observations. In each case with postaneurysm rupture, the result of flow diversion led to an increase in pressure within the aneurysm. This pressure increase is related to larger effective resistance in the parent artery from placement of the devices and, in 2 cases, the reduction of a preaneurysm stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Flow-diversion devices can cause intra-aneurysmal pressure increases, which can potentially lead to rupture, especially for giant aneurysms. This relates both to changes in the parent artery configuration, such as reduction of a proximal stenosis, and to the flow diversion into higher resistance parent artery pathways combined with cerebral autoregulation, leading to higher pressure gradients. These may be important effects that should be considered when planning interventions. Potentially dangerous cases could be identified with angiography and/or patient-specific CFD models.

Quantitative Characterization of the Hemodynamic Environment in Ruptured and Unruptured Brain Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemodynamics are thought to play an important role in the mechanisms of aneurysm pathogenesis, progression, and rupture. The purpose of this study was to define quantitative measures related to qualitative flow characteristics previously analyzed and to investigate their relationship to aneurysm rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hemodynamic environments in 210 cerebral aneurysms were analyzed by using image-based CFD under different flow conditions. Quantitative hemodynamic variables were defined and extracted from the simulation results. A statistical analysis of the relationship to the previous history of aneurysm rupture was performed, and the variability with flow conditions was assessed. RESULTS: Ruptured aneurysms were more likely to have larger inflow concentrations, larger MWSS, larger shear concentrations, and lower viscous dissipation ratios than unruptured aneurysms. Areas under low WSS and measures of abnormally low shear force distributions of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were not statistically different. Although the values of hemodynamic quantities changed with different flow conditions, the statistical differences or ratios between their mean values over the ruptured and unruptured groups were maintained, for both pulsatile and steady flows. CONCLUSIONS: Concentrated inflow streams and WSS distributions with elevated levels of MWSS and low aneurysmal viscous dissipation are statistically associated with a clinical history of prior aneurysm rupture. In contrast, the area and total viscous shear force applied in the aneurysm region subjected to abnormally low WSS levels are not. This study highlights the potential for image-based CFD for investigating aneurysm-evolution mechanisms and for clinical assessment of aneurysm risks.

Conservative Load Projection and Tracking for Fluid-Structure Problems

The loose coupling of computational fluid dynamics and computational structural dynamics solvers introduces some problems related to the information transfer between the codes. Some techniques developed to solve the problems of the load transfer and interface surface tracking are presented. The main criterion is to achieve conservation of total loads and total energy. The load projection scheme is based on Gaussian integration and fast interpolation algorithms for unstructured grids. The surface tracking algorithm, also based on interpolation, is important for many applications, including aeroelastic deformation of wings due to aerodynamic loads. The methodologies not only improve present fluid-structure interaction simulations, but also increase the range of their applicability. These techniques are of general character and can be used in other multidisciplinary applications as well.

Reproducibility of haemodynamical simulations in a subject-specific stented aneurysm model - A report on the Virtual Intracranial Stenting Challenge 2007

This paper presents the results of the Virtual Intracranial Stenting Challenge (VISC) 2007, an international initiative whose aim was to establish the reproducibility of state-of-the-art haemodynamical simulation techniques in subject-specific stented models of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). IAs are pathological dilatations of the cerebral artery walls, which are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates due to subarachnoid haemorrhage following rupture. The deployment of a stent as flow diverter has recently been indicated as a promising treatment option, which has the potential to protect the aneurysm by reducing the action of haemodynamical forces and facilitating aneurysm thrombosis. The direct assessment of changes in aneurysm haemodynamics after stent deployment is hampered by limitations in existing imaging techniques and currently requires resorting to numerical simulations. Numerical simulations also have the potential to assist in the personalized selection of an optimal stent design prior to intervention. However, from the current literature it is difficult to assess the level of technological advancement and the reproducibility of haemodynamical predictions in stented patient-specific models. The VISC 2007 initiative engaged in the development of a multicentre-controlled benchmark to analyse differences induced by diverse grid generation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technologies. The challenge also represented an opportunity to provide a survey of available technologies currently adopted by international teams from both academic and industrial institutions for constructing computational models of stented aneurysms. The results demonstrate the ability of current strategies in consistently quantifying the performance of three commercial intracranial stents, and contribute to reinforce the confidence in haemodynamical simulation, thus taking a step forward towards the introduction of simulation tools to support diagnostics and interventional planning.

Hemodynamic Patterns of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Possible Association with Rupture

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The anterior communicating artery (AcomA) is a predilect location of aneurysms which typically carry higher rupture risks than other locations in the anterior circulation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the different flow types present in AcomA aneurysms and to investigate possible associations with rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient-specific computational models of 26 AcomA aneurysms were constructed from 3D rotational angiography images. Bilateral images were acquired in 15 patients who had both A1 segments of the anterior cerebral arteries, and models of the whole anterior circulation were created by fusing the reconstructed left and right arterial trees. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed under pulsatile flow conditions measured on a healthy subject. Visualizations of flow velocity, instantaneous streamlines, and wall shear stress (WSS) were performed. These were analyzed for flow patterns, size of the impaction zone, and peak WSS and then correlations were made with prior history of rupture. RESULTS: Aneurysms with small impaction zones were more likely to have ruptured than those with large impaction zones (83% versus 63%). Maximum intra-aneurysmal WSS (MWSS) for the unruptured aneurysms ranged from 10 to 230 dyne/cm2 (mean, 114 dyne/cm2) compared with ruptured aneurysms, which ranged from 35 to 1500 dyne/cm2 (mean, 271 dyne/cm2). This difference in MWSS was statistically significant at 90% confidence levels (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysms with small impaction zones, higher flow rates entering the aneurysm, and elevated MWSS are associated with a clinical history of previous rupture.

Efficient simulation of blood flow past complex endovascular devices using an adaptive embedding technique

The simulation of blood flow past endovascular devices such as coils and stents is a challenging problem due to the complex geometry of the devices. Traditional unstructured grid computational fluid dynamics relies on the generation of finite element grids that conform to the boundary of the computational domain. However, the generation of such grids for patient-specific modeling of cerebral aneurysm treatment with coils or stents is extremely difficult and time consuming. This paper describes the application of an adaptive grid embedding technique previously developed for complex fluid structure interaction problems to the simulation of endovascular devices. A hybrid approach is used: the vessel walls are treated with body conforming grids and the endovascular devices with an adaptive mesh embedding technique. This methodology fits naturally in the framework of image-based computational fluid dynamics and opens the door for exploration of different therapeutic options and personalization of endovascular procedures.

Hemodynamics and Bleb Formation in Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms with irregular shapes and blebs or secondary outpouchings have been correlated with increased rupture risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between the local hemodynamics and the formation of blebs in cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computational models of 20 cerebral aneurysms harboring 30 well-defined blebs were constructed from 3D rotational angiographies. Models representing the aneurysm before bleb formation were constructed by virtually removing the blebs from the anatomic models. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of the aneurysm before and after bleb formation were performed under pulsatile flows. Flow and WSS visualizations were used to analyze the local hemodynamics in the region of the aneurysm that developed the bleb. RESULTS: Most blebs (80%) occurred at or adjacent to the aneurysm region with the highest WSS before bleb formation, and near the flow impaction zone. Most blebs (83%) were found in regions of the aneurysm previously subjected to high or moderate WSS and progressed to low WSS states after the blebs were formed. Most blebs (77%) were aligned or adjacent to the inflow jet, whereas 17% were aligned with the outflow jet, and only 6% were not aligned with the flow direction. In addition, 90% of the aneurysms had maximal WSS higher than or similar to the WSS in the parent artery. CONCLUSIONS: Blebs form at or adjacent to regions of high WSS and are aligned with major intra-aneurysmal flow structures. Formation of blebs results in a lower WSS state with formation of a counter current vortex. These findings imply that locally elevated WSS could contribute to the focalized wall damage that formed these structures.

Blood-flow models of the circle of Willis from magnetic resonance data

Detailed knowledge of the cerebral hemodynamics is important for a variety of clinical applications. Cerebral perfusion depends not only on the status of the diseased vessels but also on the patency of collateral pathways provided by the circle of Willis. Due to the large anatomical and physiologic variability among individuals, realistic patient-specific models can provide new insights into the cerebral hemodynamics. This paper presents an image-based methodology for constructing patient-specific models of the cerebral circulation. This methodology combines anatomical and physiologic imaging techniques with computer simulation technology. The methodology is illustrated with a finite element model constructed from magnetic resonance image data of a normal volunteer. Several of the remaining challenging problems are identified. This work represents a starting point in the development of realistic models that can be applied to the study of cerebrovascular diseases and their treatment.