Hemodynamics in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms at Rest and Graded Levels of Exercise

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are characterized by a permanent, localized dilation of the abdominal aorta. As AAA grow in size, the risk of rupture increases and open surgery or endovascular repair may be required. We hypothesize that increased flow resulting from exercise may alter the hemodynamics in the abdominal aorta, reduce the inflammatory burden on the vessel wall and slow the growth of small AAA thereby avoiding the need for endovascular or surgical intervention [1]. The purpose of this study is to quantify hemodynamic conditions in the abdominal aorta at rest, mild exercise and moderate exercise states in individual patients using computational fluid dynamics techniques based on magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) anatomic data and cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (cine PC-MRI) flow data obtained at rest and during upright exercise on an MR-compatible exercise cycle.