Numerical Analysis for the Hemodynamics in unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

Hashem Mhd Hicham Alargha

Abstract

A cerebral aneurysm is a vascular disorder characterized by abnormal focal dilation of a brain artery which is considered as a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Cerebral aneurysms affect around 2%-5% of adults and they are fatal and can rupture with an overall mortality rate of more than 50%. Through computational fluid dynamics investigation, this study is offering a closer look into the initiation growth and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. Four focus points are studied in this thesis which are sensitivity analysis of blood viscosity in aneurysms, the effect of cerebral aneurysm size on wall stresses and strain, hazard effects of gravitational forces on aneurysms and the use of porous media to model aneurysm coiling treatment method.

This study highly contributes to the advancement of our vision about different aneurysm variables, such as the blood velocity, pressure, wall shear stress and the aneurysm wall stresses and strains. The study aims to provide information for the healthy and diseased cardiovascular functions and to assist in predicting the risk of aneurysm rupture. It provides surgeons with a better understanding of the aneurysm hemodynamics which supports optimal medical treatments.