title: Validation of a patient-specific hemodynamic computational model for surgical planning of vascular access in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: Vascular access dysfunction is one of the main causes of morbidity and hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. This major clinical problem points out the need for prediction of hemodynamic changes induced by vascular access surgery. Here we reviewed the potential of a patient-specific computational vascular network model that includes vessel wall remodeling to predict blood flow change within 6 weeks after surgery for different arteriovenous fistula configurations. For model validation, we performed a multicenter, prospective clinical study to collect longitudinal data on arm vasculature before and after surgery. Sixty-three patients with newly created arteriovenous fistula were included in the validation data set and divided into four groups based on fistula configuration. Predicted brachial artery blood flow volumes 40 days after surgery had a significantly high correlation with measured values. Deviation of predicted from measured brachial artery blood flow averaged 3% with a root mean squared error of 19.5%, showing that the computational tool reliably predicted patient-specific blood flow increase resulting from vascular access surgery and subsequent vascular adaptation. This innovative approach may help the surgeon to plan the most appropriate fistula configuration to optimize access blood flow for hemodialysis, potentially reducing the incidence of vascular access dysfunctions and the need of patient hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caroli
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manini
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antiga
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Passera
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ene-Iordache
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Remuzzi
authors.forename: Aron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leermakers
authors.forename: Frans N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: van de Vosse
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanholder
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malovrh
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tordoir
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Remuzzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D055815:Young Adult