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Methods for Three-Dimensional Geometric Characterization of the Arterial Vasculature

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Abstract

Complex vascular anatomy often affects endovascular procedural outcome. Accurate quantitative assessment of three-dimensional (3D) in-vivo arterial morphology is therefore vital for endovascular device design, and preoperative planning of percutaneous interventions. The aim of this work was to establish geometric parameters describing arterial branch origin, trajectory, and vessel curvature in 3D space that eliminate the errors implicit in planar measurements. 3D branching parameters at visceral and aortic bifurcation sites, as well as arterial tortuosity were determined from vessel centerlines derived from magnetic resonance angiography data for three subjects. Errors in coronal measurements of 3D branching angles for the right and left renal arteries were 3.1 ± 3.4° and 7.5 ± 3.7°, respectively. Distortion of the anterior visceral branching angles from sagittal measurements was less pronounced. Asymmetry in branching and planarity of the common iliac arteries was observed at aortic bifurcations. The renal arteries possessed considerably greater 3D curvature than the abdominal aorta and common iliac vessels with mean average values of 0.114 ± 0.015 and 0.070 ± 0.019 mm−1 for the left and right, respectively. In conclusion, planar projections misrepresented branch trajectory, vessel length, and tortuosity proving the importance of 3D geometric characterization for possible applications in planning of endovascular interventional procedures and providing parameters for endovascular device design.

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Abbreviations

MRA:

magnetic resonance angiography

3D:

three-dimensional

2D:

two-dimensional

MIP:

maximum intensity projection

EVAR:

endovascular aneurysm repair

DICOM:

digital imaging and communications in medicine

DFM:

distance factor metric

κ:

curvature

TC :

total curvature

AC :

average curvature

τ:

torsion

TT :

total torsion

CC :

combined curvature

TCC :

total combined curvature

RMS :

root-mean-squared

CT:

celiac trunk

SMA:

superior mesenteric artery

RRA:

right renal artery

LRA:

left renal artery

RCIA:

right common iliac artery

LCIA:

left common iliac artery

COR:

coronal

AX:

axial

SAG:

sagittal

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ms. Geraldine Dowd, Clinical Specialist Radiographer, University College Hospital, Galway for her help and James Coburn for his technical expertise. This work was supported with funds from Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (IRCSET): funded by the National Development Plan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland

    Padraig M. O’Flynn & Abhay S. Pandit

  2. National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Padraig M. O’Flynn & Abhay S. Pandit

  3. Section of Interventional Radiology, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland

    Gerard O’Sullivan

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  1. Padraig M. O’Flynn
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O’Flynn, P.M., O’Sullivan, G. & Pandit, A.S. Methods for Three-Dimensional Geometric Characterization of the Arterial Vasculature. Ann Biomed Eng 35, 1368–1381 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-007-9307-9

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