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Updated: Dec 24, 2025

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
09:36

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: August 12, 2025

465

Effect of sinus size and position on hemodynamics during pulsatile flow in a carotid artery bifurcation

Mahesh Nagargoje1, Raghvendra Gupta1

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
|April 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Carotid sinus size and location significantly impact blood flow dynamics, influencing atherosclerosis risk. Larger, more distant sinuses increase recirculation and low wall shear stress, indicating higher susceptibility to plaque formation.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Hemodynamics is critical in atherosclerosis and arterial disease treatment.
  • Carotid artery hemodynamics, particularly at the sinus, influences stroke risk.
  • Variations in carotid sinus size and location can alter hemodynamics and atherosclerosis development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of carotid sinus size and location on hemodynamics.
  • To identify how altered flow behavior correlates with atherosclerosis-prone regions.
  • To understand the relationship between sinus morphology and potential sites of plaque formation.

Main Methods:

  • Patient-specific carotid artery models were created.
  • Transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent.
  • Numerical methods included finite volume, coupled pressure-velocity, and second-order discretization schemes.

Main Results:

  • Low wall shear stress and significant recirculation were observed on the outer wall of the carotid bifurcation.
  • CFD simulations demonstrated the effects of varying sinus size and position on flow patterns.
  • Detailed analysis of wall shear stress, secondary flow, and velocity streamlines was conducted.

Conclusions:

  • Sinus location away from the bifurcation and larger sinus diameter correlate with increased recirculation and low wall shear stress.
  • Individuals with these carotid sinus characteristics are more susceptible to atherosclerosis plaque formation.
  • These findings highlight the importance of sinus morphology in predicting stroke risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
BulbCarotid artery bifurcationPulsatile flow, Blood flowSinus

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