Computational analysis of aortic haemodynamics in the presence of ascending aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of numerical modelling of a patient's cardiovascular system is growing in clinical treatment. Understanding blood flow mechanics can be crucial in identifying connections between haemodynamic factors and aortic wall pathologies. OBJECTIVE: This work investigates the haemodynamic parameters of an ascending aorta and ascending aortic aneurysm in humans. METHODS: Two aortic models were constructed from medical images using the SimVascular software. FEM blood flow modelling of cardiac cycle was performed using CFD and CMM-FSI at different vascular wall parameters. RESULTS: The results showed that highest blood velocity was 1.18 m/s in aorta with the aneurysm and 1.9 m/s in healthy aorta model. The largest displacements ware in the aorta with the aneurysm (0.73 mm). In the aorta with the aneurysm, time averaged WSS values throughout the artery range from 0 Pa to 1 Pa. In the healthy aorta, distribution of WSS values changes from 0.3 Pa to 0.6 Pa. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of an ascending aortic aneurysm, the maximum blood velocity was found to be 1.6 times lower than in the healthy aorta. The aneurysm-based model demonstrates a 45% greater wall displacement, while the oscillatory shear index decreased by 30% compared to healthy aortic results.

Automated summary

This study investigates the hemodynamic parameters of an ascending aorta and ascending aortic aneurysm in humans using numerical modeling. The results show that the blood flow velocity is lower and the wall displacement is greater in the aorta with the aneurysm compared to the healthy aorta. The oscillatory shear index also decreases in the aneurysm-based model.