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Research Snapshot Theater: Neuroscience, Adult VII

Wall Shear Stress as a Biomarker of Arterial Stiffness in Cerebral Vasospasm After aSAH

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Central Time
Location: Connections Central - RST 09
Introduction: Wall shear stress (WSS) is a key determinant of microcirculatory stability. This study examined intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) WSS in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients with and without cerebral vasospasm (CVS).


Methods: We analyzed 112 aSAH patients (37 ± 8 years; 63 m, 49 w) who underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) 48–72 h post-hemorrhage. Fifty-six patients had angiographic CVS (Group 2), and 56 had no CVS (Group 1). WSS in ICA was calculated using the Hagen–Poiseuille equation. Group comparisons were performed with t-tests; data are presented as a mean ± SEM (p < 0.05).


Results: WSS in ICA was elevated in both groups compared to normative values. Group 1 had a mean WSS of 25.1 ± 3.6 dynes/cm², while Group 2 showed significantly higher WSS, particularly ipsilateral to CVS (47.1 ± 4.2 dynes/cm²; p < 0.01).


Conclusions: CVS is associated with a pronounced, region-specific elevation of ICA wall shear stress, indicating increased arterial stiffness and persistent hemodynamic strain in patients with aSAH.