Spatial redistribution of perfusion and gas exchange in patient-specific models of pulmonary embolism

The most common cause of acute pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary embolism (PE). Classification of PE severity can be based on obstruction indices that are estimated from clinical imaging, however, as patients with apparently similar levels of obstruction can have quite different clinical outcomes, obstruction indices currently have limited use clinically. Embolus size and location affects patient response, as well as the existance of prior pulmonary disease, but neither of these factors is accounted for in current obstruction indices. To fully assess the importance of embolus size and location, patient-specific models of the functional response to PE must be matched to individual clinical outcomes. Here we describe the use of patient-specific imaging-based models of PE to provide insight into the mechanisms that are important in determining PE severity, and to correlate pathology with (dys)function.