Numerical simulation of a clot occlusion in the Circle of Willis

Stroke is the second cause of death in developing countries. Meanwhile, ischemic stroke has the highest prevalence. Simulation and prediction of the stroke are big steps toward better understanding and suggesting the therapies. In this study, the computational simulation of the Circle of Willis (CoW) in the presence of a large-sized clot was presented. Patient-specific geometry of the CoW was reconstructed from CT images. The spherical clot was located in right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) as one of the main outlets of the CoW. Proper pressure boundary conditions were applied to the inlets and outlet not to confine the flow rate alterations and a fluid-structure interaction was used between the blood and clot. The pressure distribution in the CoW was reported and compared to the healthy case. Moreover, the changes on flow rates of outlet and inlet arteries were indicated in the case of ischemic stroke of a large efferent artery.