Hemodynamic changes due to stent placement in bifurcating intracranial aneurysms

Object The aim of this study was to measure changes in intraaneurysm flow dynamics and mechanical stresses resulting from the placement of Neuroform stents in bifurcating intracranial aneurysm models. Methods A digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) system was used to measure the pulsatile velocity and shear stress fields within the aneurysm and at the aneurysm neck—parent artery interface. The DPIV system provides an instantaneous two-dimensional measurement of the temporal and spatial variations of the velocity vector field of the flow inside the aneurysm pouch and the parent vessel, providing information on both the temporal and spatial variations of the velocity field during the entire cardiac cycle. The corresponding shear stress field was then computed from the velocity field data. A flexible silicone model of bifurcating intracranial aneurysms was used. Two Neuroform stents with a 60- to 65-µm strut thickness and an 11% metal/artery ratio were placed in a Y-configuration, and measurements were o...