Mechanics, Modeling and Simulation of Aortic Dissection - Phase 2

In the second phase of the LEAD project Aortic Dissection, 23 professors and PhD students from 10 institutes and 5 faculties at TU Graz continue their joint effort to understand the mechanisms of this life-threatening disease. Building on the international recognition gained in Phase 1, the consortium will now develop advanced computational tools and coupled models that integrate biomechanics, blood flow, and electric fields across multiple scales. These models will be based on experimental tissue and blood data, patient-specific morphologies reconstructed from CT and 4DMRI scans, and enhanced by data science and stochastic methods to improve predictive accuracy. The project is organized into four interconnected work packages addressing tissue testing and modeling, hemodynamics and thrombus formation, multi-physical coupling, and advanced data analysis. Close collaboration with medical partners and guidance from an international advisory board ensure that all relevant expertise is combined to achieve the project goals. In Phase 1, the consortium not only produced significant scientific results but also established itself through joint publications, international workshops, summer schools, and digital outreach. Phase 2 will consolidate and expand this success by adding expertise in machine learning and imaging, strengthening TU Graz as a leading center for computational cardiovascular research. Partnerships with medical device companies and the potential for spin-offs underline the translational impact of the project, ensuring that its results extend well beyond the LEAD framework.