Computational framework for the generation of one-dimensional vascular models accounting for uncertainty in networks extracted from medical images

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new computational framework that models uncertainties in vascular geometries derived from medical images, analyzing how these uncertainties affect blood flow simulations in patient-specific models.

Contribution

The study presents a novel method using change points to estimate vessel dimensions and investigates the impact of geometric uncertainties on hemodynamic predictions.

Findings

Uncertainty in vessel dimensions significantly affects pressure and flow predictions.

Image segmentation and vessel size variations alter hemodynamic outcomes.

Understanding geometric uncertainty propagation is crucial for clinical applications.

Abstract

Patient-specific computational modeling is a popular, non-invasive method to answer medical questions. Medical images are used to extract geometric domains necessary to create these models, providing a predictive tool for clinicians. However, in vivo imaging is subject to uncertainty, impacting vessel dimensions essential to the mathematical modeling process. While there are numerous programs available to provide information about vessel length, radii, and position, there is currently no exact way to determine and calibrate these features. This raises the question, if we are building patient-specific models based on uncertain measurements, how accurate are the geometries we extract and how can we best represent a patient's vasculature? In this study, we develop a novel framework to determine vessel dimensions using change points. We explore the impact of uncertainty in the network extraction process on hemodynamics by varying vessel dimensions and segmenting the same images multiple times. Our analyses reveal that image segmentation, network size, and minor changes in radius and length have significant impacts on pressure and flow dynamics in rapidly branching structures and tapering vessels. Accordingly, we conclude that it is critical to understand how uncertainty in network geometry propagates to fluid dynamics, especially in clinical applications.