In vivo validation of a one-dimensional finite-element method for predicting blood flow in cardiovascular bypass grafts

Current practice in vascular surgery utilizes only diagnostic and empirical data to plan treatments and does not enable quantitative a priori prediction of the outcomes of interventions. We have previously described a new approach to vascular surgery planning based on solving the governing equations of blood flow in patient-specific models. A one-dimensional finite-element method was used to simulate blood flow in eight porcine thoraco-thoraco aortic bypass models. The predicted flow rate was compared to in vivo data obtained using cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. The mean absolute difference between computed and measured flow distribution in the stenosed aorta was found to be 4.2% with the maximum difference of 10.6% and a minimum difference of 0.4%. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the flow rate and distribution with respect to stenosis and branch losses were quantified.