Numerical study of wall mechanics and fluid dynamics in end-to-side anastomoses and correlation to intimal hyperplasia

In order to analyse the wall mechanics and the flow dynamics in compliant vascular distal end-to-side anastomoses, computer simulation has been performed. In a model study the effect of compliance mismatch on the wall displacements and on the intramural stresses as well as the influence of wall distensibility on the flow patterns are demonstrated applying two distensible models with different graft elasticity. In addition, the flow in a rigid model simulating a vein graft without adaption of the venous lumen has been investigated. The geometries for these models were obtained from a concurrent experimental study, where the formation of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (DAIH) was studied in untreated and externally stiffened autologous venous grafts in sheep. In the flow study the time-dependent, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations describing the motion of an incompressible Newtonian fluid are applied. The vessel wall is modelled using a geometrically non-linear shell structure. In an iteratively coupled approach the transient shell equations and the governing fluid equations are solved numerically using the finite element method. In both compliant models maximum displacement and areas of steep stress gradients are observed in the junction region along the graft-artery intersection. The comparison of the normal deformations and the distribution and magnitude of intramural stress shows quantitative differences. The graft elasticity acts as a regulating factor for the deformability and the stress concentration in the junction area: In the model with high graft-elasticity maximum normal deformation at the side wall is 17%. This is twice as large as in the stiff graft model and maximum principle stress at the inner surface differs by one order of magnitude. The numerical results concerning the flow patterns indicate strongly skewed axial velocity profiles downstream of the junction, large secondary motion, flow separation and recirculation on the artery floor opposite the junction and at the inner wall downstream of the toe. In these regions a correlation between the time-averaged fluid wall shear stress and intimal thickening found in the animal experiment can be observed, whereas the pronounced formation of DAIH at the suture line seems to be mainly dependent on wall mechanical factors such as intramural stress and strain.