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Geometry is destiny for carotid atherosclerotic plaques

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The geometry of carotid arteries, both normal and narrowed, produces flow characteristics that predict the location of atherosclerosis and the site of plaque rupture. A recent study has shown that the upstream carotid plaque undergoes profound biochemical and apoptotic changes that are closely linked to the development of stroke symptoms.

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Figure 1: Flow characteristics observed in a glass model of carotid bifurcation, using hydrogen bubble flow.

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Acknowledgements

The author is supported by NIH grant RO1 NS20989.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Anatomy & Neurobiology, and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, 101 The City Drive South, Shanbrom Hall, Room 121, Orange, 92868, CA, USA

    Mark Fisher

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The author declares no competing financial interests.

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Fisher, M. Geometry is destiny for carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Nat Rev Neurol 8, 127–129 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2012.1

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