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Straughan R, Kadry K, Parikh SA, Edelman ER, Nezami FR. Fully automated construction of three-dimensional finite element simulations from Optical Coherence Tomography. Comput Biol Med 2023; 165:107341. [PMID: 37611423 PMCID: PMC10528179 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, atherosclerotic coronary artery diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Various imaging modalities and metrics can detect lesions and predict patients at risk; however, identifying unstable lesions is still difficult. Current techniques cannot fully capture the complex morphology-modulated mechanical responses that affect plaque stability, leading to catastrophic failure and mute the benefit of device and drug interventions. Finite Element (FE) simulations utilizing intravascular imaging OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) are effective in defining physiological stress distributions. However, creating 3D FE simulations of coronary arteries from OCT images is challenging to fully automate given OCT frame sparsity, limited material contrast, and restricted penetration depth. To address such limitations, we developed an algorithmic approach to automatically produce 3D FE-ready digital twins from labeled OCT images. The 3D models are anatomically faithful and recapitulate mechanically relevant tissue lesion components, automatically producing morphologies structurally similar to manually constructed models whilst including more minute details. A mesh convergence study highlighted the ability to reach stress and strain convergence with average errors of just 5.9% and 1.6% respectively in comparison to FE models with approximately twice the number of elements in areas of refinement. Such an automated procedure will enable analysis of large clinical cohorts at a previously unattainable scale and opens the possibility for in-silico methods for patient specific diagnoses and treatment planning for coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Straughan
- Cardiac Surgery Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA; Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Karim Kadry
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA.
| | - Sahil A Parikh
- Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, 10032, NY, USA.
| | - Elazer R Edelman
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 02139, MA, USA; Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
| | - Farhad R Nezami
- Cardiac Surgery Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.
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2
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Mendieta JB, Fontanarosa D, Wang J, Paritala PK, Muller J, Lloyd T, Li Z. MRI-based mechanical analysis of carotid atherosclerotic plaque using a material-property-mapping approach: A material-property-mapping method for plaque stress analysis. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 231:107417. [PMID: 36827823 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Atherosclerosis is a major underlying cause of cardiovascular conditions. In order to understand the biomechanics involved in the generation and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, numerical analysis methods have been widely used. However, several factors limit the practical use of this information in a clinical setting. One of the key challenges in finite element analysis (FEA) is the reconstruction of the structure and the generation of a mesh. The complexity of the shapes associated with carotid plaques, including multiple components, makes the generation of meshes for biomechanical computation a difficult and in some cases, an impossible task. To address these challenges, in this study, we propose a novel material-property-mapping method for carotid atherosclerotic plaque stress analysis that aims to simplify the process. METHODS The different carotid plaque components were identified and segmented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For the mapping method, this information was used in conjunction with an in-house code, which provided the coordinates for each pixel/voxel and tissue type within a predetermined region of interest. These coordinates were utilized to assign specific material properties to each element in the volume mesh which provides a region of transition. The proposed method was subsequently compared to the traditional method, which involves creating a composed mesh for the arterial wall and plaque components, based on its location and size. RESULTS The comparison between the proposed material-property-mapping method and the traditional method was performed in 2D, 3D structural-only, and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations in terms of stress, wall shear stress (WSS), time-averaged WSS (TAWSS), and oscillatory shear index (OSI). The stress contours from both methods were found to be similar, although the proposed method tended to produce lower local maximum stress values. The WSS contours were also in agreement between the two methods. The velocity contours generated by the proposed method were verified against phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements, for a higher level of confidence. CONCLUSION This study shows that a material-property-mapping method can effectively be used for analyzing the biomechanics of carotid plaques in a patient-specific manner. This approach has the potential to streamline the process of creating volume meshes for complex biological structures, such as carotid plaques, and to provide a more efficient and less labor-intensive method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Benitez Mendieta
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Davide Fontanarosa
- School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Jiaqiu Wang
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Phani Kumari Paritala
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - Juanita Muller
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane 4102, Australia
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Department of Radiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane 4102, Australia
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia; Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
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3
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Chiorescu RM, Mocan M, Inceu AI, Buda AP, Blendea D, Vlaicu SI. Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque: Is There a Molecular Signature? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13638. [PMID: 36362423 PMCID: PMC9656166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations, coronary and cerebral artery diseases, are the most common cause of death worldwide. The main pathophysiological mechanism for these complications is the rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and subsequent thrombosis. Pathological studies of the vulnerable lesions showed that more frequently, plaques rich in lipids and with a high level of inflammation, responsible for mild or moderate stenosis, are more prone to rupture, leading to acute events. Identifying the vulnerable plaques helps to stratify patients at risk of developing acute vascular events. Traditional imaging methods based on plaque appearance and size are not reliable in prediction the risk of rupture. Intravascular imaging is a novel technique able to identify vulnerable lesions, but it is invasive and an operator-dependent technique. This review aims to summarize the current data from literature regarding the main biomarkers involved in the attempt to diagnose vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions. These biomarkers could be the base for risk stratification and development of the new therapeutic drugs in the treatment of patients with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Mihaela Chiorescu
- Internal Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Mocan
- Internal Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Ioana Inceu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, Nicolae Stăncioiu Heart Institute, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Paula Buda
- Department of Cardiology, Nicolae Stăncioiu Heart Institute, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Blendea
- Department of Cardiology, Nicolae Stăncioiu Heart Institute, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cardiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400437 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sonia Irina Vlaicu
- Internal Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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4
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Patel NR, Setya K, Pradhan S, Lu M, Demer LL, Tintut Y. Microarchitectural Changes of Cardiovascular Calcification in Response to In Vivo Interventions Using Deep-Learning Segmentation and Computed Tomography Radiomics. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:e228-e241. [PMID: 35708025 PMCID: PMC9339530 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary calcification associates closely with cardiovascular risk, but its progress is accelerated in response to some interventions widely used to reduce risk. This paradox suggests that qualitative, not just quantitative, changes in calcification may affect plaque stability. To determine if the microarchitecture of calcification varies with aging, Western diet, statin therapy, and high intensity, progressive exercise, we assessed changes in a priori selected computed tomography radiomic features (intensity, size, shape, and texture). METHODS Longitudinal computed tomography scans of mice (Apoe-/-) exposed to each of these conditions were autosegmented by deep learning segmentation, and radiomic features of the largest deposits were analyzed. RESULTS Over 20 weeks of aging, intensity and most size parameters increased, but surface-area-to-volume ratio (a measure of porosity) decreased, suggesting stabilization. However, texture features (coarseness, cluster tendency, and nonuniformity) increased, suggesting heterogeneity and likely destabilization. Shape parameters showed no significant changes, except sphericity, which showed a decrease. The Western diet had significant effects on radiomic features related to size and texture, but not intensity or shape. In mice undergoing either pravastatin treatment or exercise, the selected radiomic features of their computed tomography scans were not significantly different from those of their respective controls. Interestingly, the total number of calcific deposits increased significantly less in the 2 intervention groups compared with the respective controls, suggesting more coalescence and/or fewer de novo deposits. CONCLUSIONS Thus, aging and standard interventions alter the microarchitectural features of vascular calcium deposits in ways that may alter plaque biomechanical stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Rajesh Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.)
| | - Kulveer Setya
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.)
| | - Stuti Pradhan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.)
| | - Mimi Lu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.)
| | - Linda L Demer
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.).,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles. (L.L.D.).,Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles. (L.L.D., Y.T.).,VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, CA (L.L.D., Y.T.)
| | - Yin Tintut
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. (N.R.P., K.S., S.P., M.L., L.L.D., Y.T.).,Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles. (L.L.D., Y.T.).,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles. (Y.T.).,VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, CA (L.L.D., Y.T.)
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5
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Abdelwahed YS, Nelles G, Frick C, Seppelt C, Meteva D, Stähli BE, Rai H, Riedel M, Skurk C, Rauch-Kröhnert U, Haghikia A, Sinning D, Dreger H, Knebel F, Trippel T, Krisper M, Klotsche J, Joner M, Landmesser U, Leistner DM. Coexistence of calcified- and lipid-containing plaque components and their association with incidental rupture points in acute coronary syndrome-causing culprit lesions: results from the prospective OPTICO-ACS study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 23:1598-1605. [PMID: 34904655 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeab247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Rupture of the fibrous cap (RFC) represents the main pathophysiological mechanism causing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Destabilization due to plaque biomechanics is considered to be importantly involved, exact mechanisms triggering plaque ruptures are, however, unknown. This study aims at characterizing the relation between plaque components and rupture points at ACS-causing culprit lesions in a large cohort of ACS-patients assessed by high-resolution intracoronary imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS Within the prospective, multicentric OPTICO-ACS study program, the ACS-causing culprit plaques of 282 consecutive patients were investigated following a standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging protocol. Each pullback was assessed on a frame-by-frame basis for the presence of lipid components (LC), calcium components (CC), and coexistence of both LC and CC (LCC) by two independent OCT-core labs. Of the 282 ACS-patients, 204 patients (72.3%) presented with ACS caused by culprit lesions with rupture of the fibrous cap (RFC-ACS) and 27.7% patients had ACS caused by culprit lesions with intact fibrous cap (IFC-ACS). When comparing RFC-ACS to IFC-ACS, a preferential occurrence of all three plaque components (LC, CC, and LCC) in RFC-ACS became apparent (P < 0.001). Within ruptured culprit lesions, the zone straight at the rupture point [extended rupture zone (RZ)] was characterized by similar (24.7% vs. 24.0%; P = ns) calcium content when compared with the proximal and distal border of the culprit lesion [border zone (BZ)]. The RZ displayed a significantly higher amount of both, LC (100% vs. 69.8%; P < 0.001) and LCC (22.7% vs. 6.8%; P < 0.001), when compared with the BZ. The relative component increase towards the RZ was particularly evident for LCC (+233.8%), while LC showed only a modest increase (+43.3%). CONCLUSIONS Calcified- and lipid-containing components characterize ruptured fibrous cap ACS-causing culprit lesions. Their coexistence is accelerated directly at the ruptured point, suggesting a pathophysiological contribution in the development of RFC-ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef S Abdelwahed
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gregor Nelles
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Frick
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudio Seppelt
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Denitsa Meteva
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara E Stähli
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Himanshu Rai
- Department of Cardiology and ISAR Research Center, German Heart Center, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Riedel
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Skurk
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ursula Rauch-Kröhnert
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Arash Haghikia
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Sinning
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henryk Dreger
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte (CCM), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte (CCM), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Trippel
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic (CVK), 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximillian Krisper
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic (CVK), 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Klotsche
- German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin, and Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology und Heath Economy, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Joner
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte (CCM), 10117 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Munch, 80636, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2 D-10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - David M Leistner
- Department of Cardiology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin-Franklin (CBF), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Berlin, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2 D-10178 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Brady L, Stender CJ, Wang YN, Schade GR, Maxwell AD, Wessells H, Ledoux WR. Mechanical characterization of fibrotic and mineralized tissue in Peyronie's disease. Int J Impot Res 2021; 34:477-486. [PMID: 34035467 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-021-00439-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peyronie's disease affects penile mechanics, but published research lacks biomechanical characterization of affected tunica albuginea. This work aims to establish mechanical testing methodology and characterize pathological tissue mechanics of Peyronie's disease. Tunica albuginea was obtained from patients (n = 5) undergoing reconstructive surgery for Peyronie's disease, sectioned into test specimens (n = 12), stored frozen at -20 °C, and imaged with micro-computed tomography (µCT). A tensile testing protocol was developed based on similar soft tissues. Correlation of mechanical summary variables (force, displacement, stiffness, work, Young's modulus, ultimate tensile stress, strain at ultimate tensile stress, and toughness) and µCT features were assessed with linear regression. Specimens empirically grouped into hard or soft stress-strain behavior were compared using a Student's t-test. Surface strain and failure patterns were described qualitatively. Specimens displayed high inter- and intra-subject variability. Mineralization volume was not correlated with mechanical parameters. Empirically hard tissue had higher ultimate tensile stress. Failure mechanisms and strain patterns differed between mineralized and non-mineralized specimens. Size, shape, and quantity of mineralization may be more important in determining Peyronie's disease plaque behavior than presence of mineralization alone, and single summary variables like modulus may not fully describe mechanical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Brady
- VA RR&D Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina J Stender
- VA RR&D Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yak-Nam Wang
- VA RR&D Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - George R Schade
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam D Maxwell
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hunter Wessells
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William R Ledoux
- VA RR&D Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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7
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Paritala PK, Yarlagadda T, Mendieta JB, Wang J, McGahan T, Lloyd T, Yarlagadda PKDV, Li Z. Plaque Longitudinal Heterogeneity in Morphology, Property, and Mechanobiology. Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 50:510-519. [PMID: 33951645 DOI: 10.1159/000515690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The hemodynamic environment of an atherosclerotic plaque varies along the longitudinal direction. Investigating the changes in plaque morphology and its biomechanical environment along the longitudinal direction and their correlations will enhance our understanding of plaque progression and arterial remodeling. METHODS Six male patients with carotid stenosis >70% were recruited. Multisequence high-resolution MRI was performed at the carotid bifurcation. Carotid endarterectomy was performed following MRI, and the plaque tissue was collected for histological and mechanical testing. Patient-specific biomechanical modeling and simulations were conducted to calculate the mechanical stresses (wall shear stress [WSS] and von Mises stress [VMS]). Changes in plaque cross-sectional morphology, WSS, and VMS as well as their correlations were evaluated. RESULTS Positive correlations were found between % stenosis and % inflammation (MA) (p = 0.019), % lipid area and % MA (p = 0.026), and % calcification area and VMS (p = 0.007). Negative correlations were found between VMS and % stenosis (p = 0.028) and VMS and average WSS (p = 0.034). Moreover, the peak stresses and neovessels were found to be in the shoulder regions. High-stress concentrations were found in the interface regions of the calcification and surrounding tissue, thereby increasing plaque vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS Correlations between the morphology and stresses suggest that arterial remodeling is a dynamic interaction between mechanical environment and plaque progression resulting in plaque heterogeneity. Our finding indicates that plaque heterogeneity is associated with plaque progression and can be combined with mechanical stresses for identifying high-risk plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phani Kumari Paritala
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tejasri Yarlagadda
- Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jessica Benitez Mendieta
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jiaqiu Wang
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tim McGahan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Department of Radiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Prasad K D V Yarlagadda
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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8
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Evaluating the Impact of Calcification on Plaque Vulnerability from the Aspect of Mechanical Interaction Between Blood Flow and Artery Based on MRI. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 49:1169-1182. [PMID: 33079320 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02655-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Acute cerebral ischemic events and thrombosis are associated with the rupture/erosion of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of calcification deposition on the wall shear stress (WSS) and stresses within the plaques using 3D fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models. Six patients with calcified carotid atherosclerosis underwent multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were divided into three groups according to the calcification volume. To evaluate the role of the calcification deposition on the stresses, the calcification content was replaced by lipids and arterial tissue, respectively. By comparing the results from the simulation with calcification, and when changing it to lipids there was a significant increment in the stresses at the fibrous cap (p = 0.004). Instead, by changing it to arterial tissue, there was no significant difference (p = 0.07). The calcification shapes that presented the highest stresses were thin concave arc-shaped (AS1) and thin convex arc-shaped (AS3), with mean stress values of 107 ± 54.2 and 99.6 ± 23.4 kPa, respectively. It was also observed that, the calcification shape has more influence on the level of stress than its distance to the lumen. Higher WSS values were associated with the presence of calcification. Calcification shape plays an important role in producing high stresses in the plaque. This work further clarifies the impact of calcification on plaque vulnerability.
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9
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Shi X, Han Y, Li M, Yin Q, Liu R, Wang F, Xu X, Xiong Y, Ye R, Liu X. Superficial Calcification With Rotund Shape Is Associated With Carotid Plaque Rupture: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study. Front Neurol 2020; 11:563334. [PMID: 33071946 PMCID: PMC7530839 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.563334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Plaque rupture is an important etiology for symptomatic carotid stenosis. The role of calcification in the plaque vulnerability has been controversial. We aimed to detect the geometric features of calcifications in carotid plaque and to examine its association with plaque rupture. Methods: Optical coherence tomography assessment of carotid plaque was performed in 88 patients. Calcification shape was evaluated through quantitative measurements of the long and short axis, area size, circumference, calcification arc, and longitudinal length. Calcification location was analyzed through the distance to the lumen. Furthermore, we developed idealized fluid-structure interaction models to investigate the association of calcification shape and plaque stress. Results: A total of 33 ruptured plaques and 30 non-ruptured plaques were recognized. Ruptured plaques had more multiple calcifications and protruded calcifications. The calcifications in the ruptured plaques displayed a remarkably lower long-axis/short-axis (L/S) ratio than in the non-ruptured plaques (p = 0.001). We classified calcification shape into crescentic calcification (L/S > 2.5) and rotund calcification (L/S ≤ 2.5). Rotund-shaped calcifications were more common in ruptured plaques than in non-ruptured plaques (p = 0.02). Superficial calcifications with minimal distance to the lumen ≤ 50 μm accounted for 79.4% of all calcifications in the ruptured plaques, and only 7.7% in the non-ruptured plaques (p < 0.001). Biomechanical analysis showed that the plaque with rotund-shaped calcification developed 7.91-fold higher von Mises stress than the plaque with crescentic calcification. Conclusions: Superficial calcifications and rotund-shaped calcifications are associated with carotid plaque rupture, suggesting that calcification location and shape may play a key role in plaque vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Shi
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunfei Han
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qin Yin
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Xiong
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China.,Vascular Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruidong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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10
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Shi X, Gao J, Lv Q, Cai H, Wang F, Ye R, Liu X. Calcification in Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability: Friend or Foe? Front Physiol 2020; 11:56. [PMID: 32116766 PMCID: PMC7013039 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcification is a clinical marker of atherosclerosis. This review focuses on recent findings on the association between calcification and plaque vulnerability. Calcified plaques have traditionally been regarded as stable atheromas, those causing stenosis may be more stable than non-calcified plaques. With the advances in intravascular imaging technology, the detection of the calcification and its surrounding plaque components have evolved. Microcalcifications and spotty calcifications represent an active stage of vascular calcification correlated with inflammation, whereas the degree of plaque calcification is strongly inversely related to macrophage infiltration. Asymptomatic patients have a higher content of plaque calcification than that in symptomatic patients. The effect of calcification might be biphasic. Plaque rupture has been shown to correlate positively with the number of spotty calcifications, and inversely with the number of large calcifications. There may be certain stages of calcium deposition that may be more atherogenic. Moreover, superficial calcifications are independently associated with plaque rupture and intraplaque hemorrhage, which may be due to the concentrated and asymmetrical distribution of biological stress in plaques. Conclusively, calcification of differential amounts, sizes, shapes, and positions may play differential roles in plaque homeostasis. The surrounding environments around the calcification within plaques also have impacts on plaque homeostasis. The interactive effects of these important factors of calcifications and plaques still await further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Shi
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiushi Lv
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haodi Cai
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruidong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Barrett HE, Van der Heiden K, Farrell E, Gijsen FJH, Akyildiz AC. Calcifications in atherosclerotic plaques and impact on plaque biomechanics. J Biomech 2019; 87:1-12. [PMID: 30904335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The catastrophic mechanical rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque is the underlying cause of the majority of cardiovascular events. The infestation of vascular calcification in the plaques creates a mechanically complex tissue composite. Local stress concentrations and plaque tissue strength properties are the governing parameters required to predict plaque ruptures. Advanced imaging techniques have permitted insight into fundamental mechanisms driving the initiating inflammatory-driven vascular calcification of the diseased intima at the (sub-) micron scale and up to the macroscale. Clinical studies have potentiated the biomechanical relevance of calcification through the derivation of links between local plaque rupture and specific macrocalcification geometrical features. The clinical implications of the data presented in this review indicate that the combination of imaging, experimental testing, and computational modelling efforts are crucial to predict the rupture risk for atherosclerotic plaques. Specialised experimental tests and modelling efforts have further enhanced the knowledge base for calcified plaque tissue mechanical properties. However, capturing the temporal instability and rupture causality in the plaque fibrous caps remains elusive. Is it necessary to move our experimental efforts down in scale towards the fundamental (sub-) micron scales in order to interpret the true mechanical behaviour of calcified plaque tissue interactions that is presented on a macroscale in the clinic and to further optimally assess calcified plaques in the context of biomechanical modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary E Barrett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Kim Van der Heiden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Farrell
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J H Gijsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ali C Akyildiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Barrett H, Cunnane E, Kavanagh E, Walsh M. On the effect of calcification volume and configuration on the mechanical behaviour of carotid plaque tissue. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2016; 56:45-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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13
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Buffinton CM, Tong KJ, Blaho RA, Buffinton EM, Ebenstein DM. Comparison of mechanical testing methods for biomaterials: Pipette aspiration, nanoindentation, and macroscale testing. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2015; 51:367-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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