Preoperative assessment and prediction of postoperative results in an artificial arterial network using computer...

A computer model has been developed that can be used to describe the human arterial system mathematically. It simulates the complex relationship of morphology and hydraulics in the vessel network. After entering patient data into a standard vessel model, the mean flow velocity, the flow direction, and the blood pressure at each specified point of the flow network can be calculated. The vessel picture can be altered and modified with the help of a graphic editor. Localized or diffuse stenoses, bypasses with simple or multiple anastomoses, end-to-end anastomoses, end-to-side anastomoses, etc., can be studied in terms of the hydraulic effects on the local situation or on the entire vessel system. Experimental results of ultrasonic mean flow data in vessel systems of leg and cerebral arteries of patients are compared with calculated values. The predicted and measured flow velocities show a mean difference of about 10% indicating that such a computer model may be successfully used in the optimal planning of bypass operations.