Computational vascular surgery planning and predicting for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a challenge in vascular surgery. Latest methods used for treatment requires implantation of stent graft - particular synthetic blood vessel (graft) combined with armature (stent). We developed our software for surgical planning of implantation of stent graft for AAA. Material properties of the aortic wall were determined using the bubble inflation test method. Hardware-software system for acquisition of the tissue specimen displacement was developed. A specific image processing procedure for determining the relation between shear stress and drag force distribution was implemented for specific patient. Blood flow in the lumen was simulated with Navier-Stokes and continuity equation. Fluid–structure interaction procedure for nonlinear deformation of the wall is used. Computational methods could be very helpful for patient-specific analyses and better understanding of the progression of AAA in a particular patient. Future clinical diagnostic system could use these complex computational surgical planning and AAA analysis.