In vivo validation of a one-dimensional finite-element method for predicting blood flow in cardiovascular bypass grafts

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2003 Jun;50(6):649-56. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2003.812201.

Abstract

Current practice in vascular surgery utilizes only diagnostic and empirical data to plan treatments and does not enable quantitative a priori prediction of the outcomes of interventions. We have previously described a new approach to vascular surgery planning based on solving the governing equations of blood flow in patient-specific models. A one-dimensional finite-element method was used to simulate blood flow in eight porcine thoraco-thoraco aortic bypass models. The predicted flow rate was compared to in vivo data obtained using cine phase-contrast magnet resonance imaging. The mean absolute difference between computed and measured flow distribution in the stenosed aorta was found to be 4.2% with the maximum difference of 10.6% anda minimum difference of 0.4%. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the flow rate and distribution with respect to stenosis and branch losses were quantified.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Anastomosis, Surgical
  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / physiopathology*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Computer Simulation
  • Constriction, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • Coronary Artery Bypass*
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Swine
  • Thoracic Arteries / physiopathology*
  • Thoracic Arteries / surgery
  • Transplants