Model-Based Fluid-Structure Interaction Approach for Evaluation of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Endograft Length in Type B Aortic Dissection

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a commonly performed operation for patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD). The goal of TEVAR is to cover the proximal entry tear between the true lumen (TL) and the false lumen (FL) with an endograft to induce FL thrombosis, allow for aortic healing, and decrease the risk of aortic aneurysm and rupture. While TEVAR has shown promising outcomes, it can also result in devastating complications including stroke, spinal cord ischemia resulting in paralysis, as well as long-term heart failure, so treatment remains controversial. Similarly, the biomechanical impact of aortic endograft implantation and the hemodynamic impact of endograft design parameters such as length are not well-understood. In this study, a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach was used based on the immersed boundary and Lattice–Boltzmann method to investigate the association between the endograft length and hemodynamic variables inside the TL and FL. The physiological accuracy of the model was evaluated by comparing simulation results with the true pressure waveform measurements taken during a live TEVAR operation for TBAD. The results demonstrate a non-linear trend towards increased FL flow reversal as the endograft length increases but also increased left ventricular pulsatile workload. These findings suggest a medium-length endograft may be optimal by achieving FL flow reversal and thus FL thrombosis, while minimizing the extra load on the left ventricle. These results also verify that a reduction in heart rate with medical therapy contributes favorably to FL flow reversal.