Sequential numerical simulation of vascular remodeling and thrombosis in unconventional hybrid repair of ruptured middle aortic syndrome

Abstract

Unconventional surgical procedures may be utilized in treating complicated middle aortic syndrome (MAS), the outcome and prognosis of which remain largely undetermined due to limited numbers and significant heterogeneity of this population. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, this study aimed to assess the dynamic changes of postoperative aortic flow in seeking to unveil the relationship between hemodynamics and vascular remodeling and thrombotic events. One patient with middle aortic syndrome complicated with aortic rupture was treated with hybrid repair of extra-anatomic bypass and fenestrated endovascular aortic repair. The patient was followed-up for 8 months by computational tomography angiography and Doppler ultrasound. Thoracoabdominal aortic blood flow and locations with ongoing thrombosis at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were simulated and analyzed. Remodeling processes, including low wall shear-mediated constrictive remodeling of non-stented aorta, neointimal hyperplasia at suture lines, and minimal thrombosis at various locations, were evident. Meanwhile, abdominal blood flow was tri-phasic at 1 month after surgery, and was reversed and stabilized at 6 months. The distribution of newly formed thrombus vary at different follow-up stages, which were in line with the numerical simulation of thrombosis from different postoperative time points. CFD-based sequential monitoring is of promising value in capturing dynamic changes of vascular outcome.