Association of Arterial Tortuosity with Hemodynamic Parameters—A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

Tortuosity of intracranial arteries has been proven to be associated with the risk of intracranial aneurysm development. We decided to analyze which aspects of tortuosity are correlated with hemodynamics parameters promoting intracranial aneurysm development. We constructed 73 idealized models of tortuous artery (length: 25 mm, diameter: 2.5 mm) with single bifurcation. For each model, on the course of segment before bifurcation, we placed 1–3 angles with measures 15, 30, 45, 60, or 75 degrees and arc lengths 2, 5, 7, 10, or 15 mm. We performed computational fluid dynamics analysis. Blood was modeled as Newtonian fluid. We have set velocity wave of 2 cardiac cycles. After performing simulation we calculated following hemodynamic parameters at the bifurcation: time average wall shear stress (TAWSS), time average wall shear stress gradient (TAWSSG), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). We found a significant positive correlation with number of angles and TAWSS (R = 0.329; P < 0.01), TAWSSG (R = 0.317; P < 0.01), and negative with RRT (R = −0.335; P < 0.0.01). Similar results were obtained in terms of arcs lengths. On the other hand, mean angle measure was negatively correlated to TAWSS (R = −0.333; P < 0.01), TAWSSG (R = −0.473 P < 0.01), OSI (R = −0.463; P < 0.01), and positively to RRT (R = 0.332; P < 0.01). On the basis of the obtained results, we developed new tortuosity descriptor, which considered angle measures normalized to its arc length and distance from bifurcation. For such descriptor we found strong negative correlation with TAWSS (R = −0.701; P < 0.01), TAWSSG (R = 0.778; P < 0.01), OSI (R = −0.776; P < 0.01), and positive with RRT (R = 0.747; P < 0.01). Hemodynamic parameters promoting aneurysm development are correlated with larger number of smaller angles located on larger arcs.