Low wall shear stress predominates at sites of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.
Aortic diameter as the primary criterion in the decision to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has drawbacks as some rupture below size thresholds, whereas others reach extreme size without rupture. Predictions of static aortic wall stress have also failed to reliably predict rupture potential. The objective of this study was to computationally assess blood flow characteristics at the site of infrarenal AAA rupture. On the basis of the finite element literature correlating rupture location with high static local wall stress, we hypothesized that a computational fluid dynamics approach would also demonstrate rupture at regions of high pressure and wall shear stress (WSS).



Three-dimensional AAA geometry was generated from computed tomography angiography images of seven ruptured AAAs. Aortic blood flow velocity, pressure, and WSS were computationally determined. Flow characteristics at the site of rupture were determined and compared across all cases.



AAA size at the time of rupture was 8.3 ± 0.9 cm. Only three of the seven AAAs ruptured at the site of maximal diameter. Blood flow velocity in the aneurysmal aorta showed dominant flow channels with zones of recirculation, where low WSS predominated. Regardless of aneurysm size or configuration, rupture occurred in or near these flow recirculation zones in all cases. WSS was significantly lower and thrombus deposition was more abundant at the site of rupture.



This computational study was the first to assess blood flow characteristics at the site of infrarenal AAA rupture in realistic aortic geometries. In contradiction to our initial hypothesis, rupture occurred not at sites of high pressure and WSS but rather at regions of predicted flow recirculation, where low WSS and thrombus deposition predominated. These findings raise the possibility that this flow pattern may lead to thrombus deposition, which may elaborate adventitial degeneration and eventual AAA rupture.
Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: aboyd2@exchange.hsc.mb.ca.
April J
AJ
Boyd
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
David C S
DC
Kuhn
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Richard J
RJ
Lozowy
Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Gordon P
GP
Kulbisky
D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D062186:Arterial Pressure; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D066230:Patient-Specific Modeling; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013314:Stress, Mechanical