Modelling of inflow boundary conditions for image-based simulation of cerebrovascular flow

The goals of this study were to model the secondary flow components of inflow boundary conditions and examine the effects of inflow boundary conditions on cerebral haemodynamics. Finite element simulations were conducted for the curved pipe model and the results were compared with PIV measurements. The vortex structures of secondary flow were modelled in terms of the Dean number, which is a function of curvature and the Reynolds number. The modelled secondary flow was superimposed on the axial velocity profile obtained by ultrasound as the inflow boundary condition. The image-based simulation was performed for an aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery using the modelled inflow boundary conditions. Results of inflow models with and without secondary flow are compared and show differences in flow patterns and wall shear stress distributions depending on the inflow model. Copyright (C) 2005 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.