Comprehensive CFD Analysis of Hemodynamic Patterns in Atherosclerosis: Implications of ICA Stenosis Severity on Head and Neck Dynamics

Motivation: This study uses a CFD-based holistic hemodynamic analysis approach to overcome the limitations of localized CFD analyses. Goal(s): To enable comprehensive evaluation of AS-related hemodynamic parameters in the head and neck. Approach: Through hemodynamic simulation modeling and a quartile-based method, clinically significant regions in the ICA-M1 segment were identified and analyzed between moderate and severe stenosis groups at the ICA origin. Results: Results show that with increasing ICA stenosis severity, low TAWSS regions expand, average TAWSS in these regions decreases, and mean RRT in high RRT regions rises, suggesting that severe ICA stenosis promotes plaque formation and instability across the ICA-M1 segment. Impact: The proposed CFD-based approach identifies hemodynamic patterns linked to AS risk and progression, offering insights into how ICA stenosis severity impacts head and neck hemodynamics, guiding clinicians in patient assessment and management.