Computational Assessment of the Relation Between Embolism Source and Embolus Distribution to the Circle of Willis for Improved Understanding of Stroke Etiology

Abstract

Stroke caused by an embolism accounts for about a third of all stroke cases. Understanding the source and cause of the embolism is critical for diagnosis and long-term treatment of such stroke cases. The complex nature of the transport of an embolus within large arteries is a primary hindrance to a clear understanding of embolic stroke etiology. Recent advances in medical image-based computational hemodynamics modeling have rendered increasing utility to such techniques as a probe into the complex flow and transport phenomena in large arteries. In this work, we present a novel, patient-specific, computational framework for understanding embolic stroke etiology, by combining image-based hemodynamics with discrete particle dynamics and a sampling-based analysis. The framework allows us to explore the important question of how embolism source manifests itself in embolus distribution across the various major cerebral arteries. Our investigations illustrate prominent numerical evidence regarding (i) the size/inertia-dependent trends in embolus distribution to the brain; (ii) the relative distribution of cardiogenic versus aortogenic emboli among the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries; (iii) the left versus right brain preference in cardio-emboli and aortic-emboli transport; and (iv) the source–destination relationship for embolisms affecting the brain.