The Role Of Hemodynamic Factors In Formation Of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque

Background and purpose:Atherosclerotic plaques tend to occur near aterial bifurcations and bends. So, hemodynamics factors may play an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We aimed to explore the relationship between hemodynamic changes and atherosclerotic plaque of carotid artery.The relationship between atherosclerosis of carotid and intracranial arterial hemodynamics was also investigated. Methods Ninety ischemic stroke patients and sixty non-ischemic cerebrovascular patients were examined in vascular dimeters, intima-media thickness, blood stream velocities and plaque by Doppler sonography. The angles between internal and common carotid arteries were also measured. Then, we calculated the wall shear stress of carotid artery. Intracranial arterial hemodynamic changes, including velocities of anterior cerebral artery(ACA),middle cerebral artery (MCA),posrerior cerebral artery(PCA) were determined by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography(TCD). Results The diameters of atherosclerotic plaque group were significantly enlarger than the control groop. The blood stream velocities and wall shear stress of atherosclerotic plaque group were significantly lower than the control groop. The angles between internal and common carotid arteries of atherosclerotic plaque group were significantly higher than the control groop. The angle between internal and common carotid arteries was negatively related to wall shear stress. Conclusions Decreased velocities, enlarged diameters, higher degree of the angle between internal and common carotid artery and lower wall shear stress are correlated with carotid artery atherosclerosis. Especially, the angle between internal and common carotid artery may be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis.