Analysis of patient-specific carotid bifurcation models using computational fluid dynamics

This paper presents the study of cardiovascular models based on medical image reconstruction and computational fluid dynamics. Our aim is to provide a virtual reality platform for flow analysis and a potential therapy planning tool for vascular diseases. Through comprehensive computational studies, the hemodynamic models of ten patient-specific carotid bifurcations are examined in terms of their geometries and flow properties. The nature of stenosis at various section of the anatomical structure are used as indicators for explaining the difference in flow properties such as pressure gradient and wall shear stress. The case studies are based on different anatomies presented by the left, right or common carotid vessel, various degrees of geometrical non-planarity, and variation in severity of stenosis in carotid arteries for a group of patients. The success of this study presents the potential of using medical imaging and numerical simulation to provide existing clinical prerequisites for diagnosis and therapeutic treatment.