Accuracy of computational hemodynamics in complex arterial geometries reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: Annals of biomedical engineering Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 32 - 41
• Main Authors: MOORE, J. A, STEINMAN, D. A, HOLDSWORTH, D. W, ETHIER, C. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 1999; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accuracy; Biological and medical sciences; Carotid Arteries - anatomy & histology; Computational Biology; Hemodynamics - physiology; Hemorheology; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Models, Anatomic; Models, Cardiovascular; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Respiratory system; Shear stress; Human; Error analysis; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Artery; Optimization; Image reconstruction; Accuracy; Stress distribution; Medical imagery; Numerical simulation; Tridimensional image; Circulatory system; Hemodynamics; Geometrical factor
• ISSN: 0090-6964; 1573-9686
• DOI: 10.1114/1.163

Combining computational blood flow modeling with three-dimensional medical imaging provides a new approach for studying links between hemodynamic factors and arterial disease. Although this provides patient-specific hemodynamic information, it is subject to several potential errors. This study quantifies some of these errors and identifies optimal reconstruction methodologies. A carotid artery bifurcation phantom of known geometry was imaged using a commercial magnetic resonance (MR) imager. Three-dimensional models were reconstructed from the images using several reconstruction techniques, and steady and unsteady blood flow simulations were performed. The carotid bifurcation from a healthy, human volunteer was then imaged in vivo, and geometric models were reconstructed. Reconstructed models of the phantom showed good agreement with the gold standard geometry, with a mean error of approximately 15% between the computed wall shear stress fields. Reconstructed models of the in vivo carotid bifurcation were unacceptably noisy, unless lumenal profile smoothing and approximating surface splines were used. All reconstruction methods gave acceptable results for the phantom model, but in vivo models appear to require smoothing. If proper attention is paid to smoothing and geometric fidelity issues, models reconstructed from MR images appear to be suitable for use in computational studies of in vivo hemodynamics.