4D-MRI coupled to fluid dynamics simulations to improve patient management

Fluid dynamics at the aortic valve may be one of the leading explanations of aortic aneurysms. Patient management after diagnosis is critical, especially in the ascending aorta since no endovascular treatment is available. We have developed a customized software able to reproduce any vascular geometry from 4D-MRI data and to model flow velocity profiles at the level of the sinotubular junction. Geometry and velocity field are the input of computational fluid-structure interaction simulations that calculate the fluidodynamic behavior of the aortic arch. We have compared fluidodynamic behavior at the aortic arch of a healthy volunteer and a patient with an ascending aorta aneurysm. Recirculation, vorticity and wall displacement were significantly different in both cases. These parameters have been highlighted as potential fluidodynamic and structural markers of aneurysm progression. Further work is guaranteed to confirm these observations and extract quantifiable metrics to improve patient management and evolution prognosis in subjects with ascending aorta aneurysms.