Evaluation of spatial distribution and characterization of wall shear stress in carotid sinus based on two-dimensional color Doppler imaging

Bo Zhang,Fang Ding,Yuqin Ma

doi:10.1186/s12938-018-0589-y

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to use a wall shear stress (WSS) quantitative analysis software to analyze and evaluate the carotid sinus WSS spatial distribution and characteristics in intima-media thickness (IMT) normal and thickening group by using two-dimensional color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) so as to assist clinicians to predict the location and risk of plaque formation.MethodsAccording to IMT, 50 subjects was selected as IMT thickening group and 50 subjects as IMT normal group from subjects who had a carotid ultrasound examination in Shanghai East hospital during October 2016 to October 2017. This study presents the spatial distribution of the carotid sinus WSS based on the WSS quantitative analysis software and compared the spatial distribution and characteristics of the carotid sinus WSS between IMT thickening group and IMT normal group through two- and three-dimensional WSS maps and a fused WSS image.ResultsThe distributional regularity of WSS in both two group was: carotid sinus < common carotid artery (CCA) < internal carotid artery (ICA) and posterior-interior wall of the carotid sinus < the anterior-lateral wall of the carotid sinus. Furthermore, the WSS of CCA, ICA, the anterior-lateral proximal wall of the carotid sinus, the anterior-lateral distal wall of the carotid sinus, the posterior-interior proximal wall of the carotid sinus, and the posterior-interior distal wall of the carotid sinus in IMT thickening group was lower than the corresponding part of IMT normal group (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn summary, this WSS quantitative analysis framework by two-dimensional CDFI can measure and reflect the carotid sinus WSS spatial distribution and characteristics more accurately and visually. As a convenient tool, it may be used for clinical prediction of the plaque formation in carotid sinus in the future.

Highlights

Cardio-cerebral vascular disease is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality in China, which has gradually become is a major public health concern [1]
With the development of atherosclerosis, the intima-media becomes thickening into plaque formation, which is a typical sign of atherosclerosis [6]
Spatial distribution of wall shear stress (WSS) between intima-media thickness (IMT) thickening group and normal group Comparing the two groups (Table 3), we found that the WSS of common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), proximal and distal ends of the anterolateral wall, proximal and distal ends of the posterolateral wall of the carotid sinus in IMT thickening group were lower than those of IMT normal group (P < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Cardio-cerebral vascular disease is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality in China, which has gradually become is a major public health concern [1]. It is generally considered that intima-media thickening is an important manifestation of atherosclerosis at early stage. Because of no specific clinical symptoms, intima-media thickness (IMT) thickening or plaque formation have a deficiency for early diagnosis and prediction of atherosclerotic related diseases [10]. With the development of modern ultrasound technology, such as color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, can average WSS be measured, and arterial hemodynamic distribution can be measured and visualized in clinical examination [18]. This may lead to modern patterns of diagnosis for plaque and atherosclerosis. Through two-dimensional CDFI, the spatial distribution and characteristics of local WSS in carotid sinus were analyzed and discussed by our proposed WSS quantitative analysis software

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion