On the impact of vessel wall stiffness on quantitative flow dynamics in a synthetic model of the thoracic aorta

Aortic wall stiffening is a predictive marker for morbidity in hypertensive patients. Arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) correlates with the level of stiffness and can be derived using non-invasive 4D-flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objectives of this study were twofold: to develop subjec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2021-03, Vol.11 (1), p.6703-6703, Article 6703
Main Authors: Zimmermann, Judith, Loecher, Michael, Kolawole, Fikunwa O., Bäumler, Kathrin, Gifford, Kyle, Dual, Seraina A., Levenston, Marc, Marsden, Alison L., Ennis, Daniel B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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639/766/189
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Aorta
Coronary vessels
Hemodynamics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Magnetic resonance imaging
Morbidity
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Thorax
Velocity
Wave velocity
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Summary:Aortic wall stiffening is a predictive marker for morbidity in hypertensive patients. Arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) correlates with the level of stiffness and can be derived using non-invasive 4D-flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objectives of this study were twofold: to develop subject-specific thoracic aorta models embedded into an MRI-compatible flow circuit operating under controlled physiological conditions; and to evaluate how a range of aortic wall stiffness impacts 4D-flow-based quantification of hemodynamics, particularly PWV. Three aorta models were 3D-printed using a novel photopolymer material at two compliant and one nearly rigid stiffnesses and characterized via tensile testing. Luminal pressure and 4D-flow MRI data were acquired for each model and cross-sectional net flow, peak velocities, and PWV were measured. In addition, the confounding effect of temporal resolution on all metrics was evaluated. Stiffer models resulted in increased systolic pressures (112, 116, and 133 mmHg), variations in velocity patterns, and increased peak velocities, peak flow rate, and PWV (5.8–7.3 m/s). Lower temporal resolution (20 ms down to 62.5 ms per image frame) impacted estimates of peak velocity and PWV (7.31 down to 4.77 m/s). Using compliant aorta models is essential to produce realistic flow dynamics and conditions that recapitulated in vivo hemodynamics.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-86174-6