Numerical simulation of hemodynamics in stented internal carotid aneurysm based on patient-specific model

Abstract

There is still a considerable lack of quantitative information concerning the effects of stent structures on blood flow in an aneurismal cavity. In this paper, five virtual stents with different structures and wire cross-sections were designed for incorporation into the same patient-specific aneurysm model. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed so as to study how these five types of stents modified hemodynamic parameters. Numerical results demonstrated that the mean flow rate in the aneurismal cavity decreased the most in the model that used a stent with a rectangular wire cross-section, and that the wall shear stresses at the dome and neck of the aneurysm decreased more in models that used a stent with a circular wire cross-section or a spiral stent with a rectangular wire cross-section compared to other models. In addition, the wall pressure on the aneurysm increased slightly after implantation of the stent in all five models. This result differs from that previously published, and may help guide the design and assist clinicians in selecting an appropriate stent for treating cerebral aneurysms.