Distribution of the geometric parameters of human aortic bifurcations

Abstract

The distribution of flow divider offset, branch angle, and angular asymmetry in a collection of 70 human aortic bifurcations are reported. A computer algorithm was used to determine these parameters objectively. The mean values with standard deviations and ranges are: (1) magnitude of flow divider offset = 1.4 ± 1.4 mm (range = 0.04 to 8.1 mm); (2) branch angle = 35.0° ± 11.1° (range = 10.4° to 61.3°); and (3) angular asymmetry = 15.3° ± 12.9° (range 0.2° to 56.1°). Since these parameters have been shown to have a significant influence on hemodynamic shear, their variability suggests a corresponding variability in the fluid dynamic stresses to which the bifurcations were exposed in life.