A one-dimensional model for aspiration therapy in blood vessels

TL;DR

A 1D hyperbolic model is developed to simulate aspiration thrombectomy in catheterized vessels, capturing the coupling between the catheter tip and the surrounding blood flow. The approach combines a relaxation-based coupling (Jin–Xin) with a Riemann solver at the interface to enforce mass and momentum compatibility across the device tip, while a piecewise pressure law accounts for vessel-wall mechanics and catheter presence. A central relaxation-based finite-volume scheme for networks is used to perform insertion, suction, and occlusion experiments, demonstrating how catheter size and suction influence pressure distribution, flow reversal, and vessel constriction. The results provide insight into how catheterization alters local hemodynamics and offer a computationally efficient tool for planning endovascular interventions in large-vessel occlusions.

Abstract

Aspiration thrombectomy is a treatment option for ischemic stroke due to occlusions in large vessels. During the therapy a device is inserted into the vessel and suction is applied. A new one-dimensional model is introduced that is capable of simulating this procedure while accounting for the fluid-structure interactions in blood flow. To solve the coupling problem at the tip of the device a problem-suited Riemann solver is constructed based on relaxation of the hyperbolic model. Numerical experiments investigating the role of the catheter size and the suction forces are presented.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Velocity of the blood flow (in terms of directions and absolute values) in a vessel during aspiration from a steady state CFD simulation in 3D.
• Figure 2: A cylindrical vessel with inserted aspiration catheter ending at position $x=0$ as considered in model \ref{['eq:coupledmodel']}.
• Figure 3: Flow rate, pressure and section area over space in three time instances after insertion of an aspiration device with radius $0.1$ cm (solid lines) and $0.25$ cm (dashed lines). Red lines in the bottom row indicate the gross section area (including the device).
• Figure 4: Flow rate, pressure and section area over space in two time instances during aspiration with velocities $w = -5000$ cm/s (solid lines) and $w= -10000$ cm/s (dotted lines) using a catheter with tip at location $x=0$. Red lines indicate the gross flow rate in the top row and the gross section area in the bottom row (including the device).
• Figure 5: Flow rate and pressure over space and time in case of an occlusion during the systolic phase of a heart beat. An untreated vessel (left) is compared to a vessel during aspiration thrombectomy (right).

Theorems & Definitions (1)

• Remark 2.1