Examination of near-wall hemodynamic parameters in the renal bridging stent of various stent graft configurations for repairing visceral branched aortic aneurysms

Objective This study examined the flow behavior of four stent graft configurations for endovascular repair of complex aneurysms of the descending aorta. Methods Computational fluid dynamics models with transient boundary conditions and rigid wall simplifying assumptions were developed and used with four distinct geometries to compare various near-wall hemodynamic parameters. Results Graphic plots for time-averaged wall shear stress, oscillating shear index, and relative residence time were presented and compared among the four stent graft configurations of interest. Conclusions Abrupt 90° and 180° changes in stent geometry (particularly in the side branches) cause a high momentum change and thus increased flow separation and mixing, which has significant implications in blood flow characteristics near the wall. By comparison, longer bridging stents provide more gradual changes in momentum, thus allowing blood flow to develop before reaching the target vessel.