title: Hemodynamic determinants of aortic dissection propagation by 2D computational modeling: implications for endovascular stent-grafting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aortic dissection is a life-threatening aortic catastrophe where layers of the aortic wall are separated allowing blood flow within the layers. Propagation of aortic dissection is strongly linked to the rate of rise of pressure (dp/dt) experienced by the aortic wall but the hemodynamics is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to determine the relationship between dissection propagation in the distal longitudinal direction (the tearing force) and dp/dt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five computational models of aortic dissection in a 2D pipe were constructed. Initiation of dissection and propagation were represented in 4 single entry tear models, 3 of which investigated the role of length of dissection and antegrade propagation, 1 of which investigated retrograde propagation. The 5th model included a distal re-entry tear. Impact of pressure field distribution on tearing force was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tearing force in the longitudinal direction for dissections with a single entry tear was approximately proportional to dp/dt and L2 where L is the length of dissection. Tearing force was much lower under steady flow than pulsatile flow conditions. Introduction of a second tear distally along the dissection away from the primary entry tear significantly reduced tearing force.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hemodynamic mechanism for dissection propagation demonstrated in these models support the use of β-blockers in medical management. Endovascular stent-graft treatment of dissection should ideally cover both entry and re-entry tears to reduce risk of retrograde propagation of aortic dissection.
authors: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California at San Francisco Medical Center and San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Chitsaz
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Azadani
authors: P B
authors: PB
authors: Matthews
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Chuter
authors: E E
authors: EE
authors: Tseng
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ge
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D015607:Stents; D013314:Stress, Mechanical