Detailed Comparison Of Numerical Flow Predictions In Cerebral Aneurysms Using Different CFD Software

Within the last decades, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations became increasingly important to investigate physical phenomena that are difficult to analyze experimentally. Additional advantages are lower costs and a better reproducibility. In the field of medical engineering, for instance concerning blood flows in cerebral aneurysms, computer-based approaches could open up new opportunities to support medical practitioners before high-risk interventions. In order to obtain rapidly numerical results, predictions rely on numerous assumptions and model reductions, depending on the desired accuracy. Due to the complex biological regulation mechanisms controlling the human vascular system, usually not considered in standard algorithms, the acceptance of CFD in medicine is still limited in practice. The present work compares commercial and open-source CFD software packages in order to determine their reliability for predicting medical blood flows. The focus is set on the leading product of each group, ANSYS-Fluent® and OpenFOAM®, respectively. Using a patient-specific geometry generated by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the influence of spatial dicretization as well as of the solver is investigated. Furthermore, important variables like accuracy, computational costs, parallel efficiency, problem-specific model extensions and user-friendly interfaces are assessed. Finally, conclusions are drawn to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the individual software packages and more generally concerning CFD for hemodynamics.