DEVELOPMENT OF FEMORAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN RELATION TO FLOW DISTURBANCES

Angiography and post-mortem studies have indicated that disturbed bloo d flow may promote atherogenesis. Our aim was to demonstrate Row distu rbances in vivo and correlate them to the subsequent development of at herosclerosis. The femoral arteries of 17 patients with early atherosc lerosis were studied with cineangiography. The films were digitized an d analyzed with an image analysis computer. From the time-intensity cu rves, the arrival time of the contrast medium at each pixel was calcul ated. In the resulting parametric images, the computer identified zone s of delayed contrast filling, (ZDF) which have been shown to correspo nd to disturbed flow. The progression or regression of atherosclerosis was followed with another angiography 3 years later by computing chan ges in edge roughness. Arterial segments without how disturbances (def ined as ZDF) showed a more marked decrease in edge roughness than thos e with Row disturbances (p < 0.05). In addition, the edge roughness te nded to increase more in segments with larger ZDF area. Angiographic s tudies of fluid mechanics and atherogenesis are feasible, but larger p atient materials are needed.