Impact of Blood Pressure on Hemodynamics in Cerebral Aneurysms
Open Access
- Author:
- Buonomo, Olivia
- Area of Honors:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Melissa Brindise, Thesis Supervisor
Margaret Louise Byron, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Cerebral aneurysms
intracranial aneurysms
blood pressure
Particle Tracking Velocimetry
mock circulatory flow loop
pressure chamber
Shake-the-Box - Abstract:
- Cerebral aneurysms, or intracranial aneurysms (IAs), are a major health concern due to their potential to rupture. Typical studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and statistical methods have contradictory findings relating to the hemodynamics and rupture risk of these aneurysms. While many studies exist on the risk and rupture of aneurysms, research on the impact of varying blood pressures is limited. This study aims to overcome the limitations of previous research by modeling hemodynamic behavior in an aneurysm while altering the incoming blood pressure. In this study, a pressure chamber was constructed and implemented into a mock circulatory flow loop to simulate coronary flow conditions. The pressure chamber went through a series of tests to ensure it maintained its set pressure over time. Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) was then used to examine fluid characteristics within an idealized IA at three distinct systolic blood pressures: 120 mmHg, 140 mmHg, and 175 mmHg while maintaining a heart rate of 80 beats per minute (bpm). Particle images were processed using Shake-the-Box, a particle tracking method, to analyze flow fields. The findings of this study aim to provide insights into the hemodynamic behavior of cerebral aneurysms under varying blood pressures to contribute to improved clinical management and treatment strategies.