Intraaneurysmal flow dynamics study featuring an acrylic aneurysm model manufactured using a computerized tomography angiogram as a mold

Object. To, obtain precise flow profiles in patients' aneurysms, the author s developed a new in vitro study method featuring an aneurysm model manufac tured using three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D: CT) angiography. Methods. A clear acrylic basilar artery (BA) tip aneurysm model manufacture d from a patient's 3D CF angiogram was used to analyze flow modifications d uring one cardiac cycle. Stereolithography was utilized to create the aneur ysm model. Three-dimensional flow profiles within the aneurysm model were o btained from velocity measurements by using laser Doppler velocimetry. The aneurysm inflow/outflow zones changed dynamically in their location, size o f their cross-sectional area, and also in their shapes over one cardiac cyc le. The flow velocity at the inflow zone was 16.8 to 81.9% of the highest a xial velocity in the BA with a pulsatility index (PI) of 1.1. The flow velo city at the outflow zone was 16.8 to 34.3% of the highest axial velocity of the BA, with a PI of 0.68. The shear stress along the walls of the aneurys m was calculated from the fluid velocity measured at a distance of 0.5 mm f rom the. wall. The. highest value of shear stress was observed at ther bleb of the aneurysm. Conclusions. This clear acrylic model of a BA tip aneurysm manufactured usi ng a CT angiogram allowed qualitative and quantitative analysis of its flow during a cardiac cycle. Accumulated knowledge from this type of study may reveal pertinent information about aneurysmal flow dynamics that will help practitioners understand the relationship among anatomy, flow dynamics, and the natural history of aneurysms.