AHA Platelets: Improving the computational modeling of cerebral aneurysms treated with flow-diverting stents utilizing platelet activation simulations

With support from the American Heart Association we use computer representations of actual patients' brain blood vessels with cerebral aneurysms to simulate blood flow in and around the aneurysms before and after treatment with flow-diverting stents. We apply a special computer modeling technique that simulates thousands of individual platelets within the computer simulation of blood flow to understand how flow-diverting stents cause platelets to activate, leading to clotting within the aneurysm and eventual aneurysm healing. We also create precise 3D-printed physical models of the blood vessels and aneurysms of each patient, and pump a special blood-like fluid through these models to validate the accuracy of computer simulation. We use high-speed cameras and lasers to measure the speed of the blood flow within the aneurysm models, including measuring tiny microparticles in the fluid that act like platelets. The final result of this project will be a computer simulation technique that allows for accurate prediction of cerebral aneurysm treatment outcome.