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1D and 3D models of auto-regulated cerebrovascular flow
K T Moorhead1, S M Moore, J G Chase
1Dept. of Mech. Eng., Canterbury Univ., Christchurch, New Zealand.
Insights
Computational fluid dynamics models of the Circle of Willis simulate brain blood flow, aiding in identifying at-risk arterial geometries for clinical decisions. Adjustments to the 1D model significantly improved correlation with 3D simulations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The Circle of Willis (CoW) is a critical arterial network at the brain's base, distributing blood to the cerebral mass.
- Understanding cerebral hemodynamics is vital for diagnosing and managing neurological conditions.
- Existing models may lack the speed or accuracy for real-time clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate 1D and 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the Circle of Willis.
- To simulate clinical scenarios, including arterial inclusions and absent vessels.
- To assess the models' capability in capturing cerebral hemodynamic auto-regulation for clinical decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Creation of both 1D and 3D CFD models of the Circle of Willis.
- Implementation of a proportional-integral controller for hemodynamic auto-regulation.
- Simulation of clinical scenarios with varying CoW geometries and afferent blood pressures.
- Comparison of transient efferent flux profiles between 1D and 3D models.
Main Results:
- Excellent correlation (within 5% difference) was observed between 1D and 3D models for transient efferent flux.
- Initial discrepancies due to Poiseuille flow assumption in the 1D model were identified.
- Increasing flow resistance in the 1D model's anterior communicating artery (ACoA) significantly improved results concordance with the 3D model.
Conclusions:
- The developed CFD models accurately simulate cerebral hemodynamics and auto-regulation within the Circle of Willis.
- The 1D model, with appropriate resistance adjustments, offers a fast and reliable tool for clinical scenario testing and identifying at-risk geometries.
- These models hold significant potential for real-time clinical decision support and pre-surgical planning.
Abstract:
The Circle of Willis (CoW) is a ring-like structure blood vessels at the base of the brain that distributes arterial blood to the cerebral mass. 1D and 3D CFD models of the Circle of Willis have been created to simulate clinical scenarios such as inclusions in afferent arteries and absent circulus vessels. Both models capture cerebral haemodynamic auto-regulation using proportional-integral controller to modify efferent artery distances to maintain optimal efferent flowrates for a given cycle geometry and afferent blood pressure. The models can be used to identify at-risk cerebral arterial geometries and conditions prior to surgery or other clinical procedures. The model is particularly relevant in this instance, with its fast execution time suitable for real-time clinical decisions and senario testing, as long as it captures the necessary details as a model would. Results show excellent correlation between models for the transient efferent flux profile with differences more than 5%. The assumption of strictly Poiseulile flow in the model allows more flow through the geometrically extreme communicating arteries than the 3D model. This discrepancy is overcome by increasing the resistance to flow in the ACoA the 1D model to better match the resistance seen in the 3D model, significantly improving correlation of the results.
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