On stent-graft models in thoracic aortic endovascular repair: a computational investigation of the hemodynamic factors.

Abstract

In treating thoracic aortic diseases, endovascular repair involves the placement of a self-expanding stent-graft system across the diseased thoracic aorta. Computational fluid dynamic techniques are applied to model the blood flow by numerically solving the three-dimensional continuity equation and the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible fluid. From our results, high blood pressure level and high systolic slope of the pressure waveform will significantly increase the drag force on a stent-graft whereas high blood viscosity causes only a mild increase. It indicates that hemodynamic factors might have an important impact on the drag force and thus play a significant role in the risk of stent-graft failure.

• Authors: George S K Fung, S K Lam, Stephen W K Cheng, K W Chow
• Journal: Computers in biology and medicine (Comput Biol Med) Vol. 38 Issue 4 Pg. 484-9 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 0010-4825 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18342843 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Angioplasty (instrumentation)
• Aorta, Thoracic (physiopathology, surgery)
• Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic (physiopathology, surgery)
• Blood Flow Velocity (physiology)
• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation
• Blood Viscosity (physiology)
• Computer Simulation
• Equipment Failure Analysis
• Hemodynamics (physiology)
• Humans
• Mathematical Computing
• Shear Strength
• Stents