PRESSURE-INDUCED MECHANICAL-STRESS IN THE CAROTID-ARTERY BIFURCATION - A POSSIBLE CORRELATION TO ATHEROSCLEROSIS

A possible correlation between regions of high intramural wall stress and the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid artery b ifurcation is investigated. The bifurcation geometry is determined thr ough in vivo studies, as well as the analysis of cadaver specimens. Ha ving compiled accurate geometric data, two representative finite eleme nt models were created in order to determine the areas of localized st ress concentrations that occur in the bifurcation. The artery is assum ed isotropic and is mechanically loaded with an incremental pressure o f 40 mmHg. A highly localized stress concentration of approximately 9 to 14 times the proximal circumferential wall stress occurs at the poi nt of bifurcation. A lower stress concentration of approximately 3 to 4 times the proximal circumferential stress occurs over a large area o f the sinus bulb. Acknowledging that these two regions of the carotid bifurcation are highly susceptible to atherosclerotic lesions, it appe ars possible that a correlation between wall stress and atherosclerosi s may exist.