Computational Analyses of an In-Vitro Aneurysm Model Based on Three-Dimensional Angiography With Comparison to Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Dye Injection Studies

Computational fluid dynamic simulation (CFD) is a valuable tool that has been used to understand some of the fundamental conditions of cerebrovascular flow. Current methods include anatomic modeling of cerebral aneurysms derived from vascular imaging such as MRA, CTA, and three-dimensional angiography. The input blood flow waveforms can be represented from either mathematical models or physiologic sampling of flow with phase contrast MR techniques or particle image velocimetry (1). While there has been general acceptance of the validity of computational fluid dynamics, some research suggests that there can be poor correlation between CFD flow calculations and directly measured flow (2). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to qualitatively compare flow patterns in a cerebral aneurysm model using data derived from three sources: (i) direct phase contrast MRA measurement in the model; (ii) CFD simulation using computer models created from three dimensional angiography, and (iii) previously published high speed injection dye studies.