Patient-specific blood flow simulation through an aneurysmal thoracic aorta with a folded proximal neck

Abstract

Transient blood flow through a geometrically patient-specific human aorta with a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is carried out. Special attention is given to the folded neck (kink) of the aneurysm found in the geometry studied. It is a common practice in the UK to intervene when the size of a TAA is between 5.5–6.5 cm. However, the results obtained suggest that neck or any other geometrical features of a TAA may also play a major role in determining the failure of an aortic aneurysm. Thus, we believe that the current practice of intervention needs to be reconsidered and a procedure based on flow classification and geometrical features may be required to minimize mortalities. To establish the effect of the kink, we have compared the results with and without the presence of the kink. The original geometry has been modified to obtain a geometry that is smoother without the kink. The results clearly show a drastic drop in wall shear stress when the kink is smoothed out. This clearly demonstrates that attention must be given to the shape and geometrical features of an aneurysm, in addition to its size. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.