Comparison of the multi‐phasic longitudinal displacement of the left and right common carotid artery in healthy humans

• Published in: Clinical physiology and functional imaging Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 342 - 354
• Main Authors: Zhu, Yuxiang, Cinthio, Magnus, Erlöv, Tobias, Bjarnegård, Niclas, Ahlgren, Åsa Rydén
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Anatomy; Aorta; arterial wall; Arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; axial displacement; Cardiovascular diseases; Carotid arteries; Carotid artery; diameter change; Heart; longitudinal motion; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical Biotechnology; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinsk bioteknologi; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Ultrasonic methods; Ultrasonic testing; Ultrasound; Veins & arteries; arterial wall; ultrasound; axial displacement; longitudinal motion; diameter change
• ISSN: 1475-0961; 1475-097X; 1475-097X
• DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12701

Background During the cardiac cycle, there is a multi‐phasic bidirectional longitudinal movement (LMov) of the intima‐media complex of large arteries, i.e. along the arteries. On the left side the common carotid artery (CCA) arises directly from the aortic arc, whereas on the right side the CCA originate from the innominate artery. Aim The aim of this study was to compare LMov of the left and right CCA of healthy subjects to investigate whether the difference in anatomy is of importance for LMov. Material and Methods The CCA’s of 93 healthy subjects were investigated using in‐house developed ultrasound methods. Results Although the basic pattern were the same in the majority of subjects, several phases of LMov were significantly larger on the left side (the first retrograde phase, p = 0.0006; the second antegrade, “returning” phase, p < 0.00001; and the rapid retrograde phase of movement at the end of the cardiac cycle, p < 0.000001). In contrast, no significant side‐difference in the amplitude of the first antegrade movement was seen. The maximal (peak‐to‐peak) LMov was significantly larger on the left side (p = 0.002). Discussion and Conclusion The side‐differences found in LMov may be related to the difference in anatomy, including possible difference in distance to the heart and especially the presence of an extra bifurcation on the right side. Our data provide an important base for the further study of the relation between LMov and cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis.