Quantitative Evaluation of Hemodynamic Changes After Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms Occlusion Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

OBJECTIVEMultiple intracranial aneurysms (MIA) are prevalent. This study conducted hemodynamic calculations on MIA to analyze the effects of occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms on the hemodynamics of other arteries, as well as the issue of the treatment order for these aneurysms. METHODSThe models of 9 patients with MIA were selected for the study. A computational fluid dynamics model combining 1-D and 3-D was used to obtain the vascular flow pattern and wall pressure. RESULTSThere was increased pressure at the MCA and Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) after occlusion of the aneurysm at the ICA. However, the pressure at the ICA has hardly changed after the aneurysm occlusion at the MCA. Occlusion of the aneurysm of different sizes at the MCA had almost no impact on the pressure at the ICA and ACA. For small aneurysm, the pressure of the ACA and MCA increases with decreasing size of the aneurysm at the ICA. After occlusion of a large aneurysm at the ICA, the impact on the pressure of the ACA and MCA is almost the same as after occlusion of a medium-sized aneurysm. CONCLUSIONSIf the treatment order of ICA and MCA aneurysms cannot be determined based on patient factors and aneurysm characteristics, the MCA aneurysm should be treated as a priority.