Key result
Computational modeling shows carotid sinus experiences up to ~35% backflow alongside low wall shear stress.
Why the study?
Fat accumulation on arterial walls is a serious health concern, motivating a hemodynamic analysis to identify the human carotid artery regions most susceptible to atherosclerosis.
Computational fluid dynamics modeling confirms clinical observations that the carotid bifurcation—specifically the left sinus wall—is highly prone to atherosclerosis due to localized secondary flow, elevated pressure, and low, non-fluctuating wall shear stress.
Fat accumulation on the arteries' walls has become a serious health concern. This study conducted an in-depth hemodynamic analysis to identify the regions of a human carotid artery most susceptible to fat accumulation or atherosclerosis, considering the following factors: blood velocity, secondary flow regions, pressure, and wall shear stress. The hemodynamic analysis used a generalized geometric model to analyze these factors at various locations within the carotid bifurcation over different time points. Results showed that the bifurcation region is comparatively more affected by the factors contributing to atherosclerosis. Especially, the sinus region experiences all the key factors: a larger secondary flow, higher blood pressure, lower mean WSS, and lower fluctuation in temporal WSS. The findings indicate that the bifurcation region, particularly the sinus is prone to fat accumulation. These results are consistent with clinical observations, emphasizing the bifurcation and sinus regions as key sites for plaque accumulation. Insights from this analysis will serve as a foundation for optimizing geometric models of bifurcated arteries to improve blood flow and, consequently, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.
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Sobieszczyk et al. (2006) studied Carotid artery disease / atherosclerosis. Computational fluid dynamics simulation using Large Eddy Simulation and the Carreau non-Newtonian blood viscosity model vs. Common carotid artery and external carotid artery segments vs. carotid bifurcation and sinus regions was evaluated on Hemodynamic susceptibility to atherosclerosis based on axial velocity, secondary flow/backflow area, blood pressure, and wall shear stress (WSS) distribution. Computational hemodynamic modeling showed the carotid sinus experiences larger secondary flow (up to 34.71% backflow at SS3), high pressure (546 Pa at SS1), and low mean and oscillatory WSS.
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