A Unique 3D Aortic Model to Risk Stratify Aortic Pathology

Timothy L. Surman ¹, Jason Varzaly ¹, Dermot Orourke ², Karen Reynolds ², Michael G. Worthington ¹, James E. Edwards ¹

¹ Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia; ² flinders university, adelaide, Australia;

Date, time and location: 2018.05.25 15:30, Exhibition area, 1st Floor. Zone – C

Abstract

Introduction

Ascending aortic replacement reflects AHA/ACC and ESC/EACTS guidelines encompassing expert opinion and detailed echocardiogram, x-ray and CT imaging but minimal empirical evidence. Using a combined mechanical testing and aortic finite element (FE) model to assess stress failure of the ascending aorta and aortic root; we aim to better understand the mechanical consequence of aortic aneurysms and to try to identify better predictive parameters of risk of dissection than current surgical guidelines.

Methods

Using porcine and human specimens of the ascending aorta and aortic root, tissue samples will undergo combined mechanical testing and finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the functional limits of the aorta under stress. This involves a unique apparatus design that provides inflation testing with digital image correlation, which will provide local aortic stress and strain values to be modelled.

Results

With values obtained from a detailed literature search of 34 studies, and collected CT imaging data we have created an initial reconstruction of the trileaflet aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aorta. Subsequently, using FEA, appropriate stress and strain values have been mapped and reconstructed into a working 3D model.