Geometric factors of the bifurcation in carotid atherogenesis.

In vitro studies have demonstrated that geometry of the carotid bifurcation predicts blood flow alterations associated with atherosclerotic plaque formation. We investigated intraindividual asymmetry of carotid atherosclerosis by measuring geometric aspects of the carotid bifurcation. We measured diameter stenosis, the internal carotid artery/common carotid artery area ratio, and the angle of the carotid bifurcation on 40 arteriograms. Stenosis asymmetry was significantly associated with area ratio asymmetry (r = 0.355, p less than 0.025); there was no such association between stenosis asymmetry and bifurcation angle asymmetry. Geometric factors of the carotid bifurcation, particularly the area ratio, may help explain intraindividual asymmetry in carotid atherosclerosis.