A comparative CFD analysis of common carotid fusiform aneurysm in canine models and vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysm in human patients

BACKGROUND: Intracranial fusiform aneurysm (IFA) is a relatively uncommon subgroup of aneurysms. There are few reports that focus on the hemodynamics of IFA. In this study, we compared the hemodynamics of the canine model of common carotid fusiform aneurysm and vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms in human patients. METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were randomly chosen, and their unilateral common carotid artery (CCA) and external jugular vein were surgically exposed individually. The CCA was transected and interposed by the free segment of the external jugular vein through end-to-end anastomosis to form a fusiform aneurysm. 3D digital subtraction angiography data of each dog's and five randomly chosen male patients' vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms were obtained and then analyzed by computational fluid dynamics software. The morphological and hemodynamic parameters were compared between the dogs and the patients. RESULTS: The morphological and hemodynamic parameters of the fusiform aneurysms were similar between the dogs and the patients. However, the hemodynamics was more complex in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The canine fusiform aneurysm model exhibits high similarity in morphology and hemodynamics with human patients'. Therefore, this model can be used to study the fluid-solid interaction in the aneurysm and to explore the underlying mechanisms of the development, rupture and occurrence of IFAs, which offers a pathophysiological tool to seek better treatments of IFAs.