Geometry of the Carotid Bifurcation Predicts Its Exposure to Disturbed Flow

• DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.107.510644
• Publication Date: 2008-06-13T02:23:39Z
• Authors: Sang-Wook Lee; Luca Antiga; J. David Spence; David A. Steinman
• Keywords: Tortuosity

That certain vessels might be at so-called geometric risk of atherosclerosis rests on assumptions wide interindividual variations in disturbed flow and a direct relationship between lumen geometry. In testing these often-implicit assumptions, the present study aimed to determine whether investigations local factors can indeed rely surrogate markers flow.Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed carotid bifurcation geometries derived from MRI 25 young adults. Disturbed was quantified as surface area exposed low oscillatory shear beyond objectively-defined thresholds. Interindividual contextualized with respect effects uncertainties imaging reconstruction. Relationships various tested via multiple regression.Relatively observed among 50 vessels. Multiple regression revealed significant (P<0.002) both proximal ratio (beta approximately 0.5) tortuosity -0.4), but not angle, planarity, or distal ratio. These findings shown insensitive about conditions choice indicator threshold.Certain features adult are robust its exposure flow. It may therefore reasonable consider large-scale retrospective prospective studies for without need time-consuming expensive CFD studies.