Why do ulcerated atherosclerotic carotid artery plaques embolize?
SG Imbesi and CW Kerber Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA. PURPOSE: We describe and analyze flow dynamics and pressure relationships in an ulcerated atherosclerotic human carotid bulb. METHODS: Replicas of an ulcerated atherosclerotic human carotid bulb were created using the lost wax technique. The resulting replicas were placed in a circuit of pulsating non-Newtonian fluid and flows were adjusted to replicate human physiological flow profiles. Common carotid artery total flow volumes of 400, 600, and 800 mL/min were studied. Slipstreams were opacified with isobaric dyes. Images were recorded on 35 mm film and on super VHS video. A pressure recording device was calibrated; data were received from needles placed radially and longitudinally in the common carotid artery, narrowed bulb/ulcer, and internal carotid artery. Multiple pressure recordings were obtained in the replicas. RESULTS: Measurements of the replica showed a 59% diame
