Computational fluid dynamics of carotid arteries after carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting based on postoperative patient-specific computed tomography angiography and ultrasound flow data.

Background: There are significant differences in the postoperative morphological and hemodynamic conditions of the carotid arteries between carotid artery stenting (CAS) and endarterectomy (CEA).

Objective: To compare the postoperative rheological conditions after CAS with those after CEA with patch angioplasty (patch CEA) through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on patient-specific data.

Methods: The rheological conditions in the carotid arteries were simulated in 2 patients after CAS and in 2 patients after patch CEA by CFD calculations. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the carotid arteries was performed with the images obtained with computed tomography angiography. The streamlines and wall shear stress (WSS) were calculated by a supercomputer. Adequate boundary conditions were determined by comparing the simulation results with ultrasound flow data.

Results: CFD was successfully calculated for all patients. The differences between the flow velocities of ultrasound data and those of the simulation results were limited. In the streamline analysis, the maximum flow velocities in the internal carotid artery after patch CEA were around two-thirds of those after CAS. Rotational slow flow was observed in the internal carotid artery bulb after patch CEA. WSS analysis found regional low WSS near the outer wall of the bulb. High WSS was observed at the distal end of the arteriotomy after patch CEA and at the residual stenosis after CAS.

Conclusion: CFD of postoperative carotid arteries disclosed the differences in streamlines and WSS between CAS and patch CEA. CFD may allow us to obtain adequate rheological conditions conducive to achieving the best clinical results.