Modeling of cerebral aneurysm using equivalent electrical circuit (Lumped Model)

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Neurovascular Anatomy

Background:

• The Circle of Willis (CoW) is crucial for maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow.
• The lumped parameter method offers a simplified yet effective approach to modeling complex cardiovascular dynamics.
• Cerebrovascular diseases, including aneurysms, significantly impact brain function and require accurate predictive models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a lumped parameter electrical circuit model of the entire human cardiovascular system, including the CoW.
• To investigate the hemodynamic effects of a left internal carotid artery aneurysm on pressure dynamics within the CoW.
• To assess the clinical applicability of this modeling approach for understanding cerebrovascular pathologies.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive cardiovascular model comprising 29 compartments, including the CoW, was constructed using electrical components (resistors, capacitors, inductors).
• MATLAB Simulink was employed to simulate the system, with ventricles modeled as controlled voltage sources and diodes.
• A fusiform aneurysm in the left internal carotid artery was incorporated to analyze its impact on CoW pressure.

Main Results:

• The electrical circuit model successfully simulated blood flow dynamics within the cerebrovascular system.
• The model demonstrated the pressure changes in the CoW's efferent arteries due to the simulated left internal carotid artery aneurysm.
• Simulation outcomes showed strong agreement with existing clinical data and observations.

Conclusions:

• The lumped parameter electrical circuit model provides a viable method for studying neurovascular hemodynamics, particularly aneurysms.
• This modeling approach has potential clinical implications for understanding and predicting the effects of cardiovascular diseases like arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis.
• The study validates the use of electrical circuit analogies for simulating complex biological systems like the human cardiovascular network.