An Automated Methdology for Investigating the Correlation Between Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Wall Stress and Risk of Rupture

Abstract

Clinical experience with regard to predicting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture has shown that although AAA diameter is a good indicator, there are likely other risk factors. Some researchers have explored a biomechanical approach to predicting aneurysm rupture risk [1,2] based on the hypothesis that aneurysm rupture occurs when the mechanical stresses in the aortic wall exceed the wall failure strength. Therefore, knowledge of wall stresses in a particular AAA may help identify impending rupture. Recently, researchers have used patients’ abdominal CT scan data and blood pressure to estimate in-vivo AAA wall stresses [3]. In the present project, an improved automated methodology is used to predict AAA wall stress. The underlying correlation between mechanical stress and aneurysm wall rupture is also investigated.