Fast algorithm for 3-D vascular tree modeling

In this short paper, accelerated three-dimensional computer simulations of vascular trees development, preserving physiological and haemodynamic features, are reported. The new computation schemes deal: (i) with the geometrical optimization of each newly created bifurcation; and (ii) with the recalculation of blood pressures and radii of vessels in the whole tree. A significant decrease of the computation time is obtained by replacing the global optimization by the fast updating algorithm allowing more complex structure to be simulated. A comparison between the new algorithms and the previous one is illustrated through the hepatic arterial tree. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.