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(Stroke. 2008;39:3172.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Determination of Wall Tension in Cerebral Artery Aneurysms by Numerical Simulation

Jørgen Gjernes Isaksen, MD; Yuri Bazilevs, PhD; Trond Kvamsdal, PhD; Yongjie Zhang, PhD; Jon H. Kaspersen, PhD; Knut Waterloo, PhD; Bertil Romner, PhD Tor Ingebrigtsen, PhD

From the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology (J.I., K.W., B.R., T.I.), University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; the Institute of Clinical Medicine (J.I., K.W., B.R., T.I.), University of Tromsø, Norway; the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) (Y.B.), University of Texas at Austin; the Department of Applied Mathematics (T.K.), SINTEF Information and Communication Technology, Norway; the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Y.Z.), Carnegie Mellon University, Pa; the Department of Medical Technology (J.H.K.), SINTEF Health Research, Trondheim, Norway; and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Neurosurgery (B.R.), Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Correspondence to Professor Tor Ingebrigtsen, Department of Neurosurgery, University hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway. E-mail tor.ingebrigtsen{at}unn.no

Background and Purpose— Cerebral artery aneurysms rupture when wall tension exceeds the strength of the wall tissue. At present, risk-assessment of unruptured aneurysms does not include evaluation of the lesions shape, yet clinical experience suggests that this is of importance. We aimed to develop a computational model for simulation of fluid-structure interaction in cerebral aneurysms based on patient specific lesion geometry, with special emphasis on wall tension.

Methods— An advanced isogeometric fluid-structure analysis model incorporating flexible aneurysm wall based on patient specific computed tomography angiogram images was developed. Variables used in the simulation model were retrieved from a literature review.

Results— The simulation results exposed areas of high wall tension and wall displacement located where aneurysms usually rupture.

Conclusion— We suggest that analyzing wall tension and wall displacement in cerebral aneurysms by numeric simulation could be developed into a novel method for individualized prediction of rupture risk.

Key Words: computer assisted numerical analysis • intracranial aneurysm • risk • rupture • tension