Letter Regarding Article by Korshunov and Berk, “Strain-Dependent Vascular Remodeling: The ‘Glagov Phenomenon’ Is Genetically Determined”

Abstract

To the Editor: Drs Korshunov and Berk1 described the modulation of vascular remodeling in response to a sudden decrease of shear stress induced by partial ligation of the carotid artery of different mouse strains. Although a similar study was previously conducted with similar mouse strains in which the carotid artery was totally occluded,2 Korshunov and Berk argued that their partial ligation model is more relevant to human carotid intima-media thickness and coronary atherosclerosis and concluded from their measurements that the Glagov phenomenon has a genetic background. To strengthen the relevance of their data, the authors compared their results—outward remodeling under low flow conditions—to our data in human atherosclerotic coronary arteries.3 Indeed, we found that in segments with lumen preservation because of outward vascular remodeling, atherosclerotic plaques were observed at relatively low shear stress regions.3 Because vascular remodeling is defined as an average over the cross …