OBJECTIVES: This study theoretically examined the longitudinal structural determinants of plaque vulnerability using a color-coded stress mapping technique for several hypothetical vessel models as well as three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with use of a finite element analysis. BACKGROUND: It has been shown that an excessive concentration of stress is related to atherosclerotic plaque rupture. However, the local determinants of in-plaque longitudinal stress distribution along the coronary arterial wall remain unclear. METHODS: Using a finite element analysis, we performed a color mapping of equivalent stress distribution within plaques for three-dimensional vessel models as well as longitudinal IVUS plaque images (n = 15). Then, the effects of plaque size, shape, expansive remodeling, calcification, and lipid core on the equivalent stress distribution were examined. RESULTS: The color mapping of vessel models revealed a concentration of equivalent stress at the top of the hills and the shoulders of homogeneous fibrous plaques. Expansive remodeling and the lipid core augmented the surface equivalent stress, whereas luminal stenosis and superficial calcification attenuated the equivalent stress. The location of excessive stress concentration was modified by the distribution of the lipid core and calcification. The thickness of the fibrous cap was inversely related to the equivalent stress within the fibrous cap. However, the color mapping of IVUS plaque images showed that the equivalent stress value at the fibrous cap varied with changes in plaque shape and superficial calcification, even when the thickness of the fibrous cap remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: A distribution analysis of longitudinal stress revealed specific effects of plaque shape, size, and remodeling, as well as effects of the interior distribution of tissue components, on the concentration of stress at the plaque surface. Moreover, fibrous caps of the same thickness did not consistently represent the same vulnerability to rupture.
OBJECTIVES: This study theoretically examined the longitudinal structural determinants of plaque vulnerability using a color-coded stress mapping technique for several hypothetical vessel models as well as three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with use of a finite element analysis. BACKGROUND: It has been shown that an excessive concentration of stress is related to atherosclerotic plaque rupture. However, the local determinants of in-plaque longitudinal stress distribution along the coronary arterial wall remain unclear. METHODS: Using a finite element analysis, we performed a color mapping of equivalent stress distribution within plaques for three-dimensional vessel models as well as longitudinal IVUS plaque images (n = 15). Then, the effects of plaque size, shape, expansive remodeling, calcification, and lipid core on the equivalent stress distribution were examined. RESULTS: The color mapping of vessel models revealed a concentration of equivalent stress at the top of the hills and the shoulders of homogeneous fibrous plaques. Expansive remodeling and the lipid core augmented the surface equivalent stress, whereas luminal stenosis and superficial calcification attenuated the equivalent stress. The location of excessive stress concentration was modified by the distribution of the lipid core and calcification. The thickness of the fibrous cap was inversely related to the equivalent stress within the fibrous cap. However, the color mapping of IVUS plaque images showed that the equivalent stress value at the fibrous cap varied with changes in plaque shape and superficial calcification, even when the thickness of the fibrous cap remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: A distribution analysis of longitudinal stress revealed specific effects of plaque shape, size, and remodeling, as well as effects of the interior distribution of tissue components, on the concentration of stress at the plaque surface. Moreover, fibrous caps of the same thickness did not consistently represent the same vulnerability to rupture.
Authors: Tetsuya Hoshino; Lori A Chow; Jeffrey J Hsu; Alice A Perlowski; Moeen Abedin; Jonathan Tobis; Yin Tintut; Ajit K Mal; William S Klug; Linda L Demer Journal: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Date: 2009-06-19 Impact factor: 4.733
Authors: Christos V Bourantas; Hector M Garcia-Garcia; Carlos A M Campos; Yao-Jun Zhang; Takashi Muramatsu; Marie-Angèle Morel; Shimpei Nakatani; Xingyu Gao; Yun-Kyeong Cho; Yuki Isibashi; Frank J H Gijsen; Yoshinobu Onuma; Patrick W Serruys Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2014-01-24 Impact factor: 2.357
Authors: Marina Zaromytidou; Antonios P Antoniadis; Gerasimos Siasos; Ahmet Umit Coskun; Ioannis Andreou; Michail I Papafaklis; Michelle Lucier; Charles L Feldman; Peter H Stone Journal: Curr Atheroscler Rep Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 5.113
Authors: Jacques Ohayon; Gérard Finet; Simon Le Floc'h; Guy Cloutier; Ahmed M Gharib; Julie Heroux; Roderic I Pettigrew Journal: Ann Biomed Eng Date: 2013-09-17 Impact factor: 3.934
Authors: Jacques Ohayon; Gérard Finet; Ahmed M Gharib; Daniel A Herzka; Philippe Tracqui; Julie Heroux; Gilles Rioufol; Melanie S Kotys; Abdalla Elagha; Roderic I Pettigrew Journal: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Date: 2008-06-27 Impact factor: 4.733