A novel method for non-invasively detecting the severity and location of aortic aneurysms

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2017. The influence of an aortic aneurysm on blood flow waveforms is well established, but how to exploit this link for diagnostic purposes still remains challenging. This work uses a combination of experimental and computational modelling to study how aneurysms of various size affect the waveforms. Experimental studies are carried out on fusiform-type aneurysm models, and a comparison of results with those from a one-dimensional fluid–structure interaction model shows close agreement. Further mathematical analysis of these results allows the definition of several indicators that characterize the impact of an aneurysm on waveforms. These indicators are then further studied in a computational model of a systemic blood flow network. This demonstrates the methods’ ability to detect the location and severity of an aortic aneurysm through the analysis of flow waveforms in clinically accessible locations. Therefore, the proposed methodology shows a high potential for non-invasive aneurysm detectors/monitors.