Modelling emboli with floating fir cones
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7480.1433 (Published 16 December 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:1433
- Stephen E Greenwald, professor of cardiovascular mechanics (s.e.greenwald@qmul.ac.uk)1
- 1 Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London E1 2AD
The study by Knight draws attention to the phenomenon that repeated transient ischaemic attacks often produce similar symptoms and proposes that if the emboli are shed from the same or nearby locations, they are likely to lodge finally in the same place, thus producing ischaemia in the same region of the brain.1
The cones used by Knight to simulate emboli did indeed come to rest in a limited number of locations, a result that is consistent with the hypothesis proposed. Statistical analysis suggests that this aggregation was unlikely to have occurred by chance.
The river Authie and the entrance to the mill stream provide a model of the aortic arch and origin of the left common carotid artery. Note the temporary occlusive lesion
The limitations of this appealing model prompt some questions and comments. …