Velocity vector comparison between vector flow imaging and computational fluid dynamics in the carotid bifurcation

•Blood velocity in the carotid bifurcation is complex and unsteady.•The Vector Flow Imaging (VFI) technique can estimate velocity vector field.•Computational fluid dynamics data are in good agreement with VFI results.•Blood velocity field obtained by VFI reliably detects laminar and disturbed flows.•VFI may improve the early identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.