ABSTRACT

A buildup of plaque in the arteries can cause a potentially fatal disease called carotid stenosis, the narrowing of a major blood vessel that leads to the brain. The objective of this project was to create a model of the carotid bifurcation at the stenosis, simulate the patient’s blood flow, and analyze the results to determine whether the patient’s condition is severe enough to cause a stroke. By using CT scans from five patients and SimVascular software, segments of the carotid artery were created and lofted together to create an accurate representation of the shape and path of the carotid artery. To create a simulation, CT scans were opened in SimVascular, where the vessel was traced to make a model and create a mesh. Flow rate data was extracted from patient doppler ultrasound graphs, and then data files were created with time and calculated volumetric flow rate data over one heartbeat. The data was translated into a spreadsheet, and the simulations were run, mimicking the human cardiovascular system by applying realistic pressures and flow boundary conditions to the 3D model. The results gained from these experiments provide detailed hemodynamic information that can help inform clinical diagnostics and treatment planning.