Baixo fluxo, alto fluxo e o espessamento.

Methods and Results— The left external and internal carotid branches were ligated so that left carotid blood flow was reduced to flow via the occipital artery. In response to partial ligation of the left carotid artery (LCA), blood flow significantly decreased (−90%) in the LCA and increased (+70%) in the right carotid artery (RCA). Morphometry showed that both RCA and LCA underwent outward remodeling that was maximal at one week. Remodeling was greater in the RCA with predominantly increased lumen and very little increase in media or adventitia. In the LCA there was a dramatic increase in media with adventitia growth and intima formation. Correlation analysis indicated that the outward remodeling was more likely due to primary changes in the vessel wall rather than to changes in the lumen, such as shear stress.
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Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.
December 1, 2003 vol. 23 no. 12 2185-2191
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Artéria submetida a baixo fluxo apresenta espessamento da IMT. Contralateral, o efeito é de alto fluxo e sem aumento do IMT.
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Apesar de usar cobaias, estudo de 2003 levanta hipóteses interessantes sobre o mecanismo de espessamento da carótida.
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