The goal of this work is to assess the impact of vascular anatomy definition degree in the predictions of blood flow models of the arterial network. To this end, results obtained with an anatomically detailed network containing over 2000 vessels are systematically compared with those obtained with an anatomically simplified network containing the main 86 vessels, the latter being a truncated version of the former one. The comparison is performed quantitatively and qualitatively in terms of pressure and flow rate waveforms, wave intensity analysis and impedance analysis. Comparisons are performed under physiological conditions and for the case of common carotid artery occlusion. Mechanisms of blood flow delivery to the brain, as well as different blood flow steal phenomena, are unveiled in light of model predictions. Results show that detailed and simplified models are in reasonable agreement regarding the hemodynamics in larger vessels and in healthy scenarios. The anatomically detailed arterial network features improved predictive capabilities at peripheral vessels. Moreover, discrepancies between models are substantially accentuated in the case of anatomical variations or abnormal hemodynamic conditions. We conclude that physiologically meaningful agreement between models is obtained for normal hemodynamic conditions. This agreement rapidly deteriorates for abnormal blood flow conditions such as those caused by total arterial occlusion. Differences are even larger when modifications of the vascular anatomy are considered. This rational comparison allows us to gain insight into the need for anatomically detailed arterial networks when addressing complex hemodynamic interactions.

这项工作的目的是评估血管解剖结构定义程度在预测动脉网络血流模型中的影响。为此，系统地比较了包含2000多个血管的解剖学详细网络与包含86个主要血管的解剖简化网络所获得的结果，后者是前者的截短版本。根据压力和流量波形，波强度分析和阻抗分析，定量和定性地进行比较。在生理条件下和颈总动脉闭塞的情况下进行比较。根据模型预测，揭示了向大脑输送血流的机制以及不同的血流窃取现象。结果表明，详细的简化模型在较大血管和健康情况下的血流动力学方面是合理的。解剖学上详细的动脉网络具有改善的外周血管预测能力。此外，在解剖结构变化或血液动力学异常的情况下，模型之间的差异会大大加重。我们得出结论，对于正常的血液动力学状况，模型之间具有生理意义。对于异常的血流状况（例如由全动脉闭塞引起的血流异常），这种一致性会迅速恶化。当考虑到血管解剖结构的改变时，差异甚至更大。