Work

Complex flow in the proximal internal carotid artery challenges Doppler flow assumptions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Vector flow imaging shows that complex, multidirectional flow in the internal carotid artery persists beyond the standard 2 cm measurement site, challenging laminar flow assumptions used in Doppler-based estimates. In healthy adults, flow did not re-stabilize until ∼2.6 cm distal to the carotid sinus, and handgrip altered flow organization without changing bulk flow. These findings highlight a key source of velocity measurement error and support more distal landmarking to improve technique accuracy and reproducibility.

Source: Journal of Applied Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00452.2026

Authors: Skye H. T. Ling, Eudoxia Zafiris, Jeremy N. Cohen, Jason S. Au

Institution: University of Waterloo

Language: English

Topic: Cerebrovascular and Carotid Artery Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada