Research Project ARES

In the ARES project, a software tool is being developed to support neurosurgeons at the University Department for Neurosurgery of the Medical Faculty of Johannes Kepler University Linz / Kepler University Hospital Linz. The goal is to improve the treatment quality of patients with cerebral aneurysms.

The tool is designed for direct use by neurosurgeons. Thanks to improved diagnostic capabilities, it will help in assessing possible treatment options. Every year, around 150 to 200 patients in Upper Austria are diagnosed and treated for cerebral aneurysms at the neurosurgery department. Currently, treatment decisions, especially for unruptured aneurysms, are made during an interdisciplinary cerebrovascular conference. With a highly reliable calculation tool, however, rupture risks could be assessed more accurately. As a result, unnecessary surgeries might be avoided, while urgent cases — such as those with a high rupture risk — could be treated preferentially.

Basis for the Tool

Previous research projects already demonstrated a high potential for such a solution. Building on this, companies and research institutions from Upper Austria are now collaborating on the ARES tool. While existing scoring systems described in the literature mostly include only morphological (geometric) factors, ARES also integrates hemodynamic simulations. In particular, the structural dynamics of blood vessel walls — often underestimated — will be taken into account.

Both morphological and hemodynamic (fluid and structural) indicators are analyzed with statistical models based on more than 300 patient datasets. This approach helps identify statistically significant factors influencing rupture risk.

Toward a Unique Scoring System

The results of these analyses will be incorporated into the software. For each patient, the tool calculates key figures and, based on statistical classification, provides support in assessing rupture risks. The ultimate aim is to create a worldwide unique tool with its own morphological and hemodynamic scoring system.

Evaluation and Usability

Finally, the tool is being evaluated by neurosurgeons at the Medical Faculty of Johannes Kepler University Linz / Kepler University Hospital Linz. The evaluation focuses on usability, reasonable net operating time, realistic turnaround time, and — most importantly — reliability.