Hemodynamic Modeling of Aortic Arch Aneurysm Treatment Using the Castor TM Branched Stent Graft: A Virtual Coil Embolization Simulation Framework

Xiaoqiang Ye¹Jianning Zhang²Zhiguo Cheng³Fenghui Lu²Zijing Wen²Guanghao Yu⁴Guangxin Chen⁵Fengjie Xie^6*Dan Qiao^7*Jian Xing^4*Wenchang Tan^8*Dongliang Zhao^9*Mingming Ren^1*

• ¹Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, shenzhen, China
• ²School of Life Sciences, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
• ³Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, shenzhen, China
• ⁴Medical Image College, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang,, China
• ⁵Medical Image College, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
• ⁶Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
• ⁷Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
• ⁸Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
• ⁹Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China

Aortic arch aneurysm (AAA) refers to pathological dilation of the aortic arch, carrying high rupture risks under hypertensive conditions with critical mortality rates, thus remaining a key research focus. The Castor TM single-branched stent-graft effectively isolates the aneurysm from circulatory pressure and is clinically combined with coil embolization to enhance therapeutic outcomes. However, comprehensive hemodynamic analyses evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of this combined approach remain lacking. This study establishes the first patient-specific hemodynamic model for Castor TM stent-graft-treated AAA, investigating pre-and postoperative biomechanical changes. A novel virtual coil embolization simulation methodology was developed to analyze the effects of coil length and morphology on aneurysmal hemodynamics.Results demonstrate significant aneurysmal pressure attenuation post-stent implantation, complete endoleak prevention, and enhanced proximal left common carotid (LCC) flow, while coil embolization induces localized hemodynamic alterations without perturbing major branch outflow. Progressive coil lengthening and packing density elevation correlate with expanded low-TAWSS regions and elevated OSI/RRT values, mechanistically confirming thrombosis acceleration. Systematic evaluation reveals synergistic hemodynamic interplay between stent-graft-mediated macroscale flow reconstruction and coil-induced thrombogenic microenvironments, providing critical insights for personalized AAA management.