Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection occurs typically when there is a tear in the innermost layer of the aortic wall that allows blood to pass into the middle layers. Although this is a medical emergency, many cases can be managed with medication, however long-term prognosis for patients remain poor and there are no current methods that can predict which patients will go on to develop complications. Our research focuses on the prediction of complication events and utilising endovascular embolisation treatments.

Through the application of computational fluid dynamics we are developing tools to quantify patient-specific haemodynamics. These data are then combined with known risk predictors like aortic diameter and the degree of false lumen thrombosis to provide a complete patient-specific risk score.

Endovascular embolisation is a surgical procedure that intentionally occludes an artery or vein to block blood flow to a specific region. Embolisation of the false lumen is a promising treatment strategy for type B aortic dissection (TBAD), but is limited due to a lack of a disease specific embolic agent. We aim to develop a novel biomaterial blend, capable of minimally invasive delivery, which allows for instantaneous and controllable embolisation of the false lumen - providing greater flexibility in TBAD treatment. We have recently demonstrated a proof-of-concept and are now progressing the methods further.