Image-based haemodynamics simulation in intracranial aneurysms

Abstract

Image-based haemodynamics simulation is a computational technique that combines patient-specific vascular modeling from medical images with Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques to approximate the complex blood flow characteristics of healthy and diseased vessels. Advances in image quality, algorithmic sophistication and computing power are enabling the introduction of such technology not only as a biomedical research tool but also for clinical practice. In particular, the interaction between haemodynamical forces and arterial wall biology is believed to play an important role in the formation, growth and, eventually, rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Due to the absence of ground truth image modalities to measure blood flow, image-based haemodynamics simulation represents an attractive tool to provide insight into the haemodynamics characteristics of intracranial aneurysms. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the main components of this technique, illustrate recent efforts in its validation and sensitivity analysis and discuss preliminary clinical studies and future research directions.