MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF AVM PHYSIOLOGY USING COMPARTMENTAL NETWORK ANALYSIS - THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PRELIMINARY IN-VIVO VALIDATION USING A PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED ANIMAL-MODEL

The development of computer modeling technique of cerebral arterioveno us malformations using circuit network analysis, validated with a prev iously developed animal model is presented. Such a malformation and it s vascular connections are rendered into a complex system of interconn ecting tubes, which is then simulated by an analogous electrical circu it using commercially available computer software. This methodology wa s tested using a swine model, of which a detailed computer model was c onstructed from anatomic and angiographic measurements of the cranial vessels. Flow conditions, before and after creation of the in vivo mod el, were predicted from the computer model and compared with previousl y reported in vivo measurements. Detailed analysis of flow within the CAVM nidus was also performed. There was a good correlation between th e computer and in vivo models regarding changes in flow and pressure d rop across the rete. Flow mapping within the nidus showed localized di rectional flow that was determined by global inputs, consistent with f unctional compartmentalization. This method of computer modeling appea rs promising for studying clinically relevant aspects of cerebral arte riovenous malformation pathophysiology. To our knowledge it is the fir st computer model to demonstrate functional compartmentalization.