Aneurysm hemodynamics: an experimental study.

PURPOSE To study the flow of blood in aneurysms. METHODS A canine model was used to study the hemodynamics of lateral, bifurcation, and terminal aneurysms with angiography and color Doppler techniques. FINDINGS Flow within experimental aneurysms, although not laminar, is seldom if ever turbulent, but rather is highly predictable, varying primarily according to the relationship of the aneurysm to its parent artery. CONCLUSIONS These studies support earlier in vitro work and provide further evidence that not all aneurysms share similar stresses. A more complete understanding of these hemodynamic features will be useful in the establishment of criteria that allow recognition of those aneurysms that are more or less likely to rupture, to grow, or to thrombose.