Computational flow dynamics in patient specific model of cardiovascular system using CT and MRI

Abstract

After introduction on a new multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scanner, it has become possible to produce highspeed CT angiography (CTA) that selected preferred method for imaging in emergent vascular conditions. On the other hand, the imaging of blood vessels is often referred to as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Both of angiography offers the good quality of three-dimensional information of the vessels. In this study, patient specific model were reconstructed using multi-slice computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The optimal transit time from intravenous injection to enhancement cardiovascular system was determined using a contrast bolus tracking technique with CT examination and phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC-MRA). The purpose of this study was to describe a novel blood flow visualization and analysis in the human cardiovascular system in more detail by constructing actual three-dimensional (3D) flow and simulated model using Computational flow dynamics (CFD) methods. CFD streamlines were displayed using a special illumination technique with blood pressure display, which gives a much better spatial understanding of the field's structure than ordinary constant-colored lines. Real vector display using PC-MRA was also expressed to compare with the CFD simulation. On conclusion, Patient specific approach using actual blood flow with PC-MRA and CFD were effective to estimate blood flow state of the cardiovascular system.