Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms Based on CTA

One example of grid reconstruction and blood flow simulation for a patient with internal carotid artery aneurysms was presented. The method accurately duplicates the geometry to provide computer simulations of the blood flow. Initial images were obtained by using CT angiography in DICOM format. The image was processed by using MIMICS software, and the 3D fluid model (blood flow) and 3D solid model (wall) were generated. The subsequent output was exported to the Ansys workbench software to generate the volumetric mesh for further homodynamic study. The fluid model was defined and simulated in CFX software, while the solid model was calculated in ANSYS software. The force data calculated firstly in the CFX software were transferred to ANSYS software, and after receiving the force data, total mesh displacement data were calculated in Ansys software. Then the mesh displacement data were transferred back to CFX software. The data exchange was processed in workbench software. The results of simulation could be visualized in CFX-post. The wall shear stress, wall total pressure and von mises stress were in good agreement with the clinical and pathological practice. The results of this study play an important role in the formation, growth, rupture and prognosis of an aneurysm on clinic application, and maybe a practical tool for planning treatment and follow-up of patients after neurosurgical or endovascular interventions with 3D angiography.