Variation in the carotid bifurcation geometry of young versus older adults: Implications for geometric risk of atherosclerosis

Background and Purpose - Retrospective analysis of clinical data has demonstrated major variations in carotid bifurcation geometry, in support of the notion that an individual\u27s vascular anatomy or local hemodynamics may influence the development of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, anecdotal evidence suggests that vessel geometry is more homogenous in youth, which would tend to undermine this geometric risk hypothesis. The purpose of our study was to test whether the latter is indeed the case. Methods - Cross-sectional images of the carotid bifurcations of 25 young adults (24±4 years) and a control group of 25 older subjects (63±10 years) were acquired via MRI. Robust and objective techniques were developed to automatically characterize the 3D geometry of the bifurcation and the relative dimensions of the internal, external, and common carotid arteries (ICA, ECA, and CCA, respectively). Results - Young vessels exhibited significantly less interindividual variation in the following geometric parameters: bifurcation angle (48.5±6.3° versus 63.6±15.4°); ICA angle (21.6±6.7° versus 29.2±11.3°); CCA tortuosity (0.010±0.003 versus 0.014±0.011); ICA tortuosity (0.025±0.013 versus 0.086±0.105); ECA/CCA diameter ratio (0.81±0.06 versus 0.75±0.13), ICA/CCA (0.81 ±0.06 versus 0.77±0.12) diameter ratio, and bifurcation area ratio (1.32±0.15 versus 1.19±0.35). Conclusions - The finding of more modest interindividual variations in young adults suggests that, if there is a geometric risk for atherosclerosis, its early detection may prove challenging. Taken together with the major interindividual variations seen in older vessels, it suggests a more complex interrelationship between vascular geometry, local hemodynamics, vascular aging, and atherosclerosis, the elucidation of which now calls for prospective studies. © 2005 American Heart Association, Inc

Measurement of the ZZγZZ\gamma and ZγγZ\gamma\gamma Couplings in ppˉp\bar p Collisions at s=1.8\sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV

We have directly measured the ZZ-gamma and Z-gamma-gamma couplings by studying p pbar --> l+ l- gamma + X, (l = e, mu) events at the CM energy of 1.8$TeV with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. A fit to the transverse energy spectrum of the photon in the signal events, based on the data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 13.9 pb^-1 ($13.3 pb^-1) for the electron (muon) channel, yields the following 95% confidence level limits on the anomalous CP-conserving ZZ-gamma couplings: -1.9 < h^Z_30 < 1.8 (h^Z_40 = 0), and -0.5 < h^Z_40 < 0.5 (h^Z_30 = 0), for a form-factor scale Lambda = 500 GeV. Limits for the Z-gamma-gamma$ couplings and CP-violating couplings are also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 1 table, and 3 figure

Computed Blood Flow Dynamics In An Anatomically Realistic Cerebral Aneurysm

this paper we present a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of physiologically pulsatile flow in an anatomically realistic aneurysm reconstructed from in vivo 3-D imaging of a human subjec

In Vitro Shear Stress Measurements Using Particle Image Velocimetry in a Family of Carotid Artery Models: Effect of Stenosis Severity, Plaque Eccentricity, and Ulceration

<div><p>Atherosclerotic disease, and the subsequent complications of thrombosis and plaque rupture, has been associated with local shear stress. In the diseased carotid artery, local variations in shear stress are induced by various geometrical features of the stenotic plaque. Greater stenosis severity, plaque eccentricity (symmetry) and plaque ulceration have been associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular events based on clinical trial studies. Using particle image velocimetry, the levels and patterns of shear stress (derived from both laminar and turbulent phases) were studied for a family of eight matched-geometry models incorporating independently varied plaque features – i.e. stenosis severity up to 70%, one of two forms of plaque eccentricity, and the presence of plaque ulceration). The level of laminar (ensemble-averaged) shear stress increased with increasing stenosis severity resulting in 2–16 Pa for free shear stress (FSS) and approximately double (4–36 Pa) for wall shear stress (WSS). Independent of stenosis severity, marked differences were found in the distribution and extent of shear stress between the concentric and eccentric plaque formations. The maximum WSS, found at the apex of the stenosis, decayed significantly steeper along the outer wall of an eccentric model compared to the concentric counterpart, with a 70% eccentric stenosis having 249% steeper decay coinciding with the large outer-wall recirculation zone. The presence of ulceration (in a 50% eccentric plaque) resulted in both elevated FSS and WSS levels that were sustained longer (∼20 ms) through the systolic phase compared to the non-ulcerated counterpart model, among other notable differences. Reynolds (turbulent) shear stress, elevated around the point of distal jet detachment, became prominent during the systolic deceleration phase and was widely distributed over the large recirculation zone in the eccentric stenoses.</p></div

Color-encoded maps of orientation-dependent swirling strength (λ_ci) shown for the ICA central plane in each of the set of three 50%-stenosed models at time points identical to those applied to Fig. 9.

<p>Swirling strength maps were obtained from x and y components of the ensemble-averaged (left panel in each column pair) and instantaneous (right panel in each column pair) velocity maps. Note the different limits of the color bar used for the bottom row. Positive (e.g. yellow to red) and negative values (e.g. green to violet) represent counter clock-wise and clock-wise swirling rotation, respectively.</p