title: Impact of CCSVI on cerebral haemodynamics: a mathematical study using MRI angiographic and flow data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of abnormal anatomy and flow in neck veins has been recently linked to neurological diseases. The precise impact of extra-cranial abnormalities such as stenoses remains unexplored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pressure and velocity fields in the full cardiovascular system are computed by means of a global mathematical model that accounts for the relationship between pulsating cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our model predicts that extra-cranial strictures cause increased pressure in the cerebral venous system. Specifically, there is a predicted pressure increase of about 10% in patients with a 90% stenoses. Pressure increases are related to significant flow redistribution with flow reduction of up to 70% in stenosed vessels and consequent flow increase in collateral pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extra-cranial venous strictures can lead to pressure increases in intra-cranial veins of up to 1.3 mmHg, despite the shielding role of the Starling resistor. The long-term clinical implications of the predicted pressure changes are unclear.
authors.affiliation: Computer Science Department, National Laboratory for Scientific Computing, LNCC/MCTI, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil Laboratory of Applied Mathematics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy lmuller@lncc.br.
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Applied Mathematics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Toro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA Magnetic Resonance Innovations, Inc. Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Haacke
authors.affiliation: Magnetic Resonance Innovations, Inc. Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Utriainen
mesh_terms: D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: CCSVI; MRI-derived patient-specific venous network; cerebral venous hypertension; global mathematical model; human circulation