Purpose: To study the influence of stents positioned at various locations in a physiological model of the carotid artery on the flow behaviour. Methods: Wallstents (Boston Co.) were positioned in silicon models of the carotid artery at various locations: entirely in the internal carotid artery (ICA), in the ICA extending partially and completely into the bulb, and in the ICA extending completely into the commun carotid artery (CCA). Measurements were performed with Laser-Doppler-Anemometry (LDA) and an intravascular US-Doppler-device (Flowire). Under pulsatile flow conditions (Re= 250 ; flow 0,431 l/min ; flow rate ratio ICA:ECA = 70:30 ) measurements were performed in haemodynamically relevant cross-sections. The hemodynamic changes were analysed with 1D flow profiles. Results: With the stent in the ICA, no changes of the normal flow-profile were seen. For the stents positioned in the ICA and extending partially and completely into the CCA, the flow behavior was affected by the resistance of the mesh graft to the flow in the external carotid artery (ECA). Significant disturbances were seen in the ICA and ECA, and the flow rate ratio of the ICA:ECA shifted from 70:30 to 71.3:28.7 and from 70:30 to 75.1:24.9. With the stent placed in the ICA extending completely into the CCA, the flow rate ratio of the ICA:ECA shifted from 70:30 to 72.4:27.6. There were no notable flow changes in the ICA. There was a clear diminishing of the seperation zones in the ECA. Conclusions: Anatomically correctly postioned stents do not lead to significant disturbances in the ICA. In the ECA, depending on the position of the stent, the physiological flow was considerably disturbed when any part of the stent covered the outflow of the vessel. Significant disturbances were seen when the stent was positioned in the bulb.
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Purpose: To study the influence of stents positioned at various locations in a physiological model of the carotid artery on the flow behaviour. Methods: Wallstents (Boston Co.) were positioned in silicon models of the carotid artery at various locations: entirely in the internal carotid artery (ICA), in the ICA extending partially and completely into the bulb, and in the ICA extending completely into the commun carotid artery (CCA). Measurements were performed with Laser-Doppler-Anemometry (LDA)...
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