scholarly journals MRI-determined carotid artery flow velocities and wall shear stress in a mouse model of vulnerable and stable atherosclerotic plaque

Author(s):  
Glenda S. van Bochove ◽  
Roel Straathof ◽  
Rob Krams ◽  
Klaas Nicolay ◽  
Gustav J. Strijkers
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 171447 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Xing ◽  
A. M. Moerman ◽  
Y. Ridwan ◽  
M. J. Daemen ◽  
A. F. W. van der Steen ◽  
...  

Wall shear stress (WSS) is involved in atherosclerotic plaque initiation, yet its role in plaque progression remains unclear. We aimed to study (i) the temporal and spatial changes in WSS over a growing plaque and (ii) the correlation between WSS and plaque composition, using animal-specific data in an atherosclerotic mouse model. Tapered casts were placed around the right common carotid arteries (RCCA) of ApoE −/− mice. At 5, 7 and 9 weeks after cast placement, RCCA geometry was reconstructed using contrast-enhanced micro-CT. Lumen narrowing was observed in all mice, indicating the progression of a lumen intruding plaque. Next, we determined the flow rate in the RCCA of each mouse using Doppler Ultrasound and computed WSS at all time points. Over time, as the plaque developed and further intruded into the lumen, absolute WSS significantly decreased. Finally at week 9, plaque composition was histologically characterized. The proximal part of the plaque was small and eccentric, exposed to relatively lower WSS. Close to the cast a larger and concentric plaque was present, exposed to relatively higher WSS. Lower WSS was significantly correlated to the accumulation of macrophages in the eccentric plaque. When pooling data of all animals, correlation between WSS and plaque composition was weak and no longer statistically significant. In conclusion, our data showed that in our mouse model absolute WSS strikingly decreased during disease progression, which was significantly correlated to plaque area and macrophage content. Besides, our study demonstrates the necessity to analyse individual animals and plaques when studying correlations between WSS and plaque composition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (SK) ◽  
pp. SKKE16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Nagaoka ◽  
Kazuma Ishikawa ◽  
Michiya Mozumi ◽  
Magnus Cinthio ◽  
Hideyuki Hasegawa

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 598-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frieke M.A. Box ◽  
Rob J. van der Geest ◽  
Jeroen van der Grond ◽  
Matthias J.P. van Osch ◽  
Aeilko H. Zwinderman ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Guillaume Goudot ◽  
Jonathan Poree ◽  
Olivier Pedreira ◽  
Lina Khider ◽  
Pierre Julia ◽  
...  

Objective Carotid plaque vulnerability assessment could guide the decision to perform endarterectomy. Ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UF) can evaluate local flow velocities over an entire 2D image, allowing measurement of the wall shear stress (WSS). We aimed at evaluating the feasibility of WSS measurement in a prospective series of patients with carotid stenosis. Methods UF acquisitions, performed with a linear probe, had an effective frame rate of 5000 Hz. The flow velocity was imaged over the entire plaque area. WSS was computed with the vector field speed using the formula: with the blood velocity and μ, the blood viscosity. The WSS measurement method was validated using a calibrated phantom. In vivo, WSS was analyzed in 5 areas of the carotid wall: common carotid artery, plaque ascent, plaque peak, plaque descent, internal carotid artery. Results Good correlation was found between in vitro measurement and the theoretical WSS values (R2 = 0.95; p < 0.001). 33 patients were prospectively evaluated, with a median carotid stenosis degree of 80 % [75–85]. The maximum WSS value over the cardiac cycle follows the shape of the plaque with an increase during the ascent, reaching its maximum value of 3.25 Pa [2.26–4.38] at the peak of the plaque, and a decrease after passing of the peak (0.93 Pa [0.80–1.19]) lower than the WSS values in the non-stenotic areas (1.47 Pa [1.12–1.77] for the common carotid artery). Conclusion UF allowed local and direct evaluation of the plaque’s WSS, thus better characterizing local hemodynamics to identify areas of vulnerability. Key Points: 


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Goudot ◽  
L Khider ◽  
O Pedreira ◽  
J M Poree ◽  
P Julia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Carotid plaque vulnerability assessment is an important factor in guiding the decision to treat significant carotid stenosis. Ultrafast Ultrasound Imaging (UF) offers the possibility of evaluating local flow velocities over an entire 2D image, allowing access to velocity measurements in contact with the arterial wall and to measure the wall shear stress (WSS). Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of WSS measurement in a prospective series of patients with carotid stenosis. Methods A 7.5 MHz linear probe of an Aixplorer scanner was used. UF acquisitions had 3 tilted plane waves transmits (−10; 0; 10°) and an effective frame rate of 5000Hz. We evaluated the flow velocity in 5 areas of the carotid wall: common carotid artery (1), plaque ascent (2), plaque peak (3), plaque descent (4), internal carotid artery (5) (Figure). WSS was computed with the vector field speed using the following formula, WSS=μ·δn·v with v the blood velocity, n the normal vector to the vessel wall and μ, the blood viscosity, calculated from the hematocrit value for each patient. WSS measurement method was first validated using a laminar flow phantom and known viscosity. And then, 33 patients were then prospectively evaluated, with a median carotid stenosis degree of 80% [75–85]. Results Significant correlation was found between in vitro measurement and the theoretical WSS values (R2=0.95; p<0.001).In patients,the maximum WSS value over the cardiac cycle follows the shape of the plaque with an increase during the ascend, reaching its maximum value of 3.57 Pa [2.47–4.45] at the peak of the plaque, and a fall after passing the peak (0.99 Pa [0.8–1.32]) lower than the WSS values in the non-stenotic areas (1.55 Pa [1.13–1.90] for the common carotid artery) (Table). Table 1 Wall's area Wall shear stress (Pa) Min Max Delta 1. Common carotid artery 0.14 [0.05–0.27] 1.55 [1.13–1.90] 0.73 [0.55–0.96] 2. Plaque's ascent 0.39 [0.24–0.59] 2.63 [1.89–3.28] 1.20 [0.89–1.79] 3. Plaque's peak 0.60 [0.32–0.89] 3.57 [2.47–4.45] 1.78 [1.44–2.46] 4. Plaque's descent 0.16 [0.13–0.22] 0.99 [0.80–1.32] 0.52 [0.34–0.73] 5. Internal carotid artery 0.17 [0.13–0.35] 1.37 [1.04–1.75] 0.72 [0.50–0.87] Results are median [25th–75th percentile]. Figure 1 Conclusion UF provide reliable WSS values. High WSS was present at the peak of the plaque, whereas lowest WSS values were found at the post-stenotic zone. WSS evaluation may help to better characterize the carotid plaque vulnerability.


Author(s):  
Hui Meng ◽  
Sabareesh K. Natarajan ◽  
Eleni Metaxa ◽  
Markus Tremmel ◽  
Ling Gao ◽  
...  

Hemodynamic insult has long been speculated to be a key factor in intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation,1 but the specifics of hemodynamic insult contributing to this process are not understood. Despite other risk factors, IAs are predominantly found at locations associated with unique hemodynamic stress such as at the apices of arterial bifurcations or outer curves, prominent in high wall shear stress (WSS) and wall shear stress gradients (WSSG).2 Furthermore, it appears that increased flow at these locations is required to trigger the initiation of aneurysmal remodeling.3 We have previously shown that increasing flow in the rabbit basilar artery (BA), secondary to common carotid artery (CCA) ligation, resulted in nascent aneurysm development at the basilar terminus (BT).4 However, it is unclear if certain hemodynamic stress thresholds must be exceeded to trigger aneurysmal remodeling, and whether sustained insult is necessary.


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