Hemodynamics and Oxygen Transport through Pararenal Aortic Aneurysm Treated with Multilayer Stent: A Numerical Study

As opposed to an endoluminal stent graft, a multilayer stent (MS) consists of a porous mesh, which allows for the possibility of treating pararenal aortic aneurysms (PRAAs) that involve a significant branch vessel. However, the choice of the density of the MS plays a vital role in isolating the aneurysm and allowing unobstructed blood flow in the branch vessel.

In the present study, we examined 3 cases (without a stent and with single-layer and double-layer stents) via numerical simulations to explore the feasibility of the MSs used in the treatment of such aneurysms and estimate whether there is a more appropriate or optimal stent density.

With stent intervention, the velocity of blood flow in the sac decreased, but the pressure on the surface of the aneurysm did not decrease although it became more uniform. In addition, the "region of double low" (with low wall shear stress and a low Sherwood number) enlarged after stent implantation. Even with the double-layer stent, however, the flux of the branch vessel was still above normal, and we could predict that the optimal stent porosity was approximately 49.9%.

Unlike in previous studies, an MS could not be feasibly applied to high-risk PRAAs. However, an MS can induce sac thrombosis in the later stages while maintaining visceral vessel patency, and our results suggest that the optimal stent may be a 4-layer stent.