Effect of Posture Change on the Geometric Features of the Healthy Carotid Bifurcation

—Segmented cross-sectional MRI images were used to construct 3-D virtual models of the carotid bifurcation in ten healthy volunteers. Geometric features, such as bifurcation angle, internal carotid artery (ICA) angle, planarity angle, asymmetry angle, tortuosity, curvature, bifurcation area ratio, ICA/common carotid artery (CCA), external carotid artery (ECA)/CCA, and ECA/ICA diameter ratios, were calculated for both carotids in two head postures: 1) the supine neutral position; and 2) the prone sleeping position with head rotation to the right (∼80◦ ). The results obtained have shown that head rotation causes 1) significant variations in bifurcation angle [32% mean increase for the right carotid (RC) and 21% mean decrease for the left carotid (LC)] and internal carotid artery angle (97% mean increase for the RC, 43% mean decrease for the LC); 2) a slight increase in planarity and asymmetry angles for both RC and LC; 3) minor and variable curvature changes for the CCA and for th...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2011
• Where: TITB
• Authors: Nicolas Aristokleous, Ioannis Seimenis, Yannis Papaharilaou, Georgios C. Georgiou, Brigitta C. Brott, Eleni Eracleous, Andreas S. Anayiotos
• Keywords: Asymmetry Angles, Bifurcation Angle, Carotid, TITB 2011