Characterization of fluid flow properties at the basilar apex

Shear stress and pressure loads are two variables that influence the pathogenesis of aneurysm formation and the effectiveness of treatment. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software programs are valuable in analyzing fluid flow properties in the vascular system. In the cerebral vasculature, it can be used to study the local hemodynamic properties in the areas of arterial bifurcation. In this study, we used CFD techniques to describe fluid flow properties at the basilar artery apex. Computed topography (CT) images were used to provide the necessary data points needed to reconstruct the 3D geometry. We entered velocity, pressure, fluid property parameters, and boundary conditions into the CFD software program to obtain steady state results. Results indicate the value of CFD in predicting some clinically relevant pre- and postoperative hemodynamic data that can influence the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysm.