Mechanics of ascending aortic aneurysms based on a modulus of elasticity dependent on aneurysm diameter and pressure

The mechanical stresses and strains are examined, in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (aTAA) models, in a patient-specific aTAA as well as in healthy thoracic aortic models, via Finite Element Analysis. The aneurysms are assumed spherical, 1.5 mm thick, with diameters between 47 mm and 80 mm, eccentrically positioned. The geometry and wall thickness distribution of the aorta along its length are based on open literature data for an average patient age of 66.25 years, accounting for the Body Surface Area (BSA) parameter. The vessel wall material is assumed isotropic and incompressible, with its Young’s modulus varying with the aneurysm diameter and the applied intraluminal pressure (120 mmHg to 240 mmHg). In the aTAAs, peak stresses were found to increase nonlinearly with aneurysm diameter (for a given pressure) tending to reach a plateau, appearing at the proximal area of the aneurysm, whereas lower stresses were found at its distal part and even smaller at the aneurysm maximum diameter. Regarding the patient-specific aTAA model, the peak stresses appeared at the distal part of the aneurysm where a tear of the intima layer was detected during surgical intervention. Peak strains exhibited for each pressure a maximum at a certain aneurysm diameter beyond which they dropped so that essentially the vessel wall’s distensibility was thus reduced. Examining more than 100 geometry cases and employing a failure stress criterion, the rupture diameter thresholds were estimated to be 65, 52.5, 50 and 47.5 mm for a pressure of 120, 160, 200 and 240 mmHg respectively.