In silico analysis of embolism in cerebral arteries using fluid-structure interaction method

Abstract

Ischemic stroke, particularly embolic stroke, stands as a significant global contributor to mortality and long-term disabilities. This paper presents a comprehensive simulation of emboli motion through the middle cerebral artery (MCA), a prevalent site for embolic stroke. Our patient-specific computational model integrates major branches of the middle cerebral artery reconstructed from magnetic resonance angiography images, pulsatile flow dynamics, and emboli of varying geometries, sizes, and material properties. The fluid-structure interactions method is employed to simulate deformable emboli motion through the middle cerebral artery, allowing observation of hemodynamic changes in artery branches upon embolus entry. We investigated the impact of embolus presence on shear stress magnitude on artery walls, analyzed the effects of embolus material properties and geometries on embolus trajectory and motion dynamics within the middle cerebral artery. Additionally, we evaluated the non-Newtonian behavior of blood, comparing it with Newtonian blood behavior. Our findings highlight that embolus geometry significantly influences trajectory, motion patterns, and hemodynamics within middle cerebral artery branches. Emboli with visco-hyperelastic material properties experienced higher stresses upon collision with artery walls compared to those with hyperelastic properties. Furthermore, considering blood as a non-Newtonian fluid had notable effects on emboli stresses and trajectories within the artery, particularly during collisions. Notably, the maximum von Mises stress experienced in our study was 21.83 kPa, suggesting a very low probability of emboli breaking during movement, impact, and after coming to a stop. However, in certain situations, the magnitude of shear stress on them exceeded 1 kPa, increasing the likelihood of cracking and disintegration. These results serve as an initial step in anticipating critical clinical conditions arising from arterial embolism in the middle cerebral artery. They provide insights into the biomechanical parameters influencing embolism, contributing to improved clinical decision-making for stroke management.