Abstract 2731: CFD Reveals Hemodynamic Differences Between Unruptured And Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms During Observation

Background and Purpose: Although various studies have been performed, the mechanism leading to the rupture of cerebral aneurysms has not yet been elucidated. Accurate assessment of cerebral aneurysm rupture risk is important because current treatments carry a small but significant risk that can exceed the small natural risk of rupture. Various hemodynamic parameters have been proposed for estimating the risk of rupture of cerebral aneurysms, with limited success. We evaluated several hemodynamic parameters to predict rupture in a dataset of initially unruptured aneurysms in which some aneurysms ruptured during follow-up observation. Methods: Geometry of the aneurysm and blood vessels was extracted from CTA images and analyzed using a mathematical formula for fluid flow under pulsatile blood flow conditions. Fifty side-wall internal carotid posterior communicating artery (ICA-pcom) aneurysms and fifty middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms of medium size were investigated for Energy loss (EL), Pressure Loss Coefficient (PLC), wall-shear-stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI). During a follow-up observation period, 6 ICA-pcom and 7 MCA aneurysms ruptured (44 and 43 remained unruptured, respectively, with the same location and a similar size as the ruptured cases). Results: A significant difference in the minimum WSS between aneurysms that ruptured and those that remained unruptured was noted only in ICA aneurysms (P<0.001). EL showed higher tendency in ruptured aneurysms but statistically not significant. For PLC, a significant difference was noted in both ICA (P<0.001) and MCA (P<0.001) aneurysms. All other parameters did not show significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: A significant difference was noted in WSSMIN only in ICA aneurysms. For PLC, a significant difference was noted in both ICA and MCA aneurysms, suggesting that PLC may be one, out of possibly other useful parameters to predict cerebral aneurysm rupture. ![Figure][1] [1]: pending:yes