Hemodynamic changes by flow diverters in rabbit aneurysm models: a computational fluid dynamic study based on micro-computed tomography reconstruction.

Background and Purpose: The effect of flow diverter (FD) on hemodynamic changes observed in aneurysms is inevitably affected by the actual structural configuration of deployed FD. We studied the resultant hemodynamic changes after implantation of FDs using computational fluid dynamic simulations based on micro-computed tomography reconstructions in rabbit aneurysm model.
Methods: The FDs by micro-computed tomography images and vascular model based on rabbit-specific angiograms in 14 rabbits were reconstructed for computational fluid dynamic studies, and rabbit-specific inlet flow waveforms were used as boundary conditions. The occluded group (n=10) and unoccluded group (n=4) were divided according to the follow-up angiography. Hemodynamic parameters were separately evaluated for significance with respect to FD implantation and healing.
Results: The normalized mean wall shear stress of the aneurysm sac and inflow volume were significantly reduced after FD deployment, and the relative residence time was significantly increased after treatment, without significant differences in mean pressure of aneurysm sac. When compared with the unoccluded group, the average relative residence time increment and percentage of inflow volume reduction in occluded group were higher. Additionally, the inlet of stream after FD deployment in the occluded group was more prevalent near the central region of the neck, whereas in the unoccluded group, it was more likely to occur near the proximal part of the neck.
Conclusions: This study provided the real structural configurations of fully deployed FDs in vivo. We demonstrated the decrease of wall shear stress, inflow volume, increase of relative residence time, and change of inflow stream induced by FD implantation. The higher relative residence time increment, percentage of inflow volume reduction, and location of stream inlet near the central part of the neck may be closely related to healing.