Hemodynamics of anterior communicating artery aneurysms using combined imaging of the anterior circulation

Abstract

Intracranial aneurysms at the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) are associated with a higher rupture risk and a more challenging therapy since they are supplied with blood from both sides of the anterior vasculature. Since the standard imaging modality, i.e. digital subtraction angiography, involves the contrast agent injection into a single cerebral artery, this relationship cannot be satisfactorily considered in subsequent blood flow analysis based on the single-sided segmentation. In this study, we analysed five patients harbouring multiple intracranial aneurysms including those located at the AcomA. We virtually combined the segmentations from both sides into a single model and examined the influence on blood flow simulations based on different inlets: (1) only the left internal carotid artery, (2) only the right internal carotid artery and (3) both internal carotid arteries. Our results indicate a strong influence of the blood flow simulation for AcomA aneurysms as well as large differences between left and right side of the patient’s vasculature

Keywords

• anterior communicating artery
• blood flow
• hemodynamic simulation
• intracranial aneurysms
• segmentation