Computational haemodynamics in stenotic internal jugular veins

J Math Biol. 2015 Mar;70(4):745-72. doi: 10.1007/s00285-014-0778-7. Epub 2014 Mar 27.

Abstract

An association of stenotic internal jugular veins (IJVs) to anomalous cerebral venous hemodynamics and Multiple Sclerosis has been recently hypothesized. In this work, we set up a computational framework to assess the relevance of IJV stenoses through numerical simulation, combining medical imaging, patient-specific data and a mathematical model for venous occlusions. Coupling a three-dimensional description of blood flow in IJVs with a reduced one-dimensional model for major intracranial veins, we are able to model different anatomical configurations, an aspect of importance to understand the impact of IJV stenosis in intracranial venous haemodynamics. We investigate several stenotic configurations in a physiologic patient-specific regime, quantifying the effect of the stenosis in terms of venous pressure increase and wall shear stress patterns. Simulation results are in qualitative agreement with reported pressure anomalies in pathological cases. Moreover, they demonstrate the potential of the proposed multiscale framework for individual-based studies and computer-aided diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Computer Simulation
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Hemodynamics*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Jugular Veins / pathology*
  • Jugular Veins / physiopathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / statistics & numerical data
  • Mathematical Concepts
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Venous Pressure