Mean-average wall shear stress measurements in the common carotid artery.

In this study we determined mean-average wall shear stress values in the common carotid artery and assessed if there is a difference in mean-average WSS between: 1) patients with bilateral carotid bifurcation disease and 2) similar-aged volunteers with no evidence of disease. Sixteen patients with bilateral disease of the carotid bifurcation, and 8 volunteers were included in the study. Magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping was used to determine velocity, flow, vessel cross-sectional dimensions, and mean-average WSS in the common carotid artery in both the patients and volunteers. Mean-average WSS in the common carotid artery was 7.5 +/- 2.5 dynes/cm2 in patients and 8.0 +/- 4.1 dynes/cm2 in volunteers. There was no significant difference in mean-average WSS, average velocity, peak velocity, flowrate, or vessel diameter in the common carotid artery between patients and volunteers.