CFD Analysis for the Evaluation of Patient-Specific Hemodynamic Parameters in Cerebral Aneurysms

Abstract

Blood flow simulations are now considered a valuable tool for a deeper understanding of the physiopathology of intracranial aneurysms. Many authors built robust computational settings based on accurate computer-assisted registration, segmentation, and 3D geometry reconstruction from medical images of patient-specific cerebral aneurysms, and special techniques to derive appropriate boundary conditions. However, an accurate description of flow mechanics in the near-wall region and its connection with the evolution of the wall disease evolution remains linked to several questions not yet fully understood. Recently, several authors have suggested a lower order approximation of the Lagrangian dynamics in the near-wall region, which allows for a meaningful characterization of both normal and parallel flow direction to the wall. We verify this computational approach in a follow-up case study and try to provide a step further in the understanding of the hemodynamics environment and its possible connection with the aneurysm inception and growth.