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Zhao C, Lv R, Maehara A, Wang L, Gao Z, Xu Y, Guo X, Zhu Y, Huang M, Zhang X, Zhu J, Yu B, Jia H, Mintz GS, Tang D. Plaque Ruptures Are Related to High Plaque Stress and Strain Conditions: Direct Verification by Using In Vivo OCT Rupture Data and FSI Models. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1617-1627. [PMID: 38721707 PMCID: PMC11208065 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.124.320764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While it has been hypothesized that high plaque stress and strain may be related to plaque rupture, its direct verification using in vivo coronary plaque rupture data and full 3-dimensional fluid-structure interaction models is lacking in the current literature due to difficulty in obtaining in vivo plaque rupture imaging data from patients with acute coronary syndrome. This case-control study aims to use high-resolution optical coherence tomography-verified in vivo plaque rupture data and 3-dimensional fluid-structure interaction models to seek direct evidence for the high plaque stress/strain hypothesis. METHODS In vivo coronary plaque optical coherence tomography data (5 ruptured plaques, 5 no-rupture plaques) were acquired from patients using a protocol approved by the local institutional review board with informed consent obtained. The ruptured caps were reconstructed to their prerupture morphology using neighboring plaque cap and vessel geometries. Optical coherence tomography-based 3-dimensional fluid-structure interaction models were constructed to obtain plaque stress, strain, and flow shear stress data for comparative analysis. The rank-sum test in the nonparametric test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Our results showed that the average maximum cap stress and strain values of ruptured plaques were 142% (457.70 versus 189.22 kPa; P=0.0278) and 48% (0.2267 versus 0.1527 kPa; P=0.0476) higher than that for no-rupture plaques, respectively. The mean values of maximum flow shear stresses for ruptured and no-rupture plaques were 145.02 dyn/cm2 and 81.92 dyn/cm2 (P=0.1111), respectively. However, the flow shear stress difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary case-control study showed that the ruptured plaque group had higher mean maximum stress and strain values. Due to our small study size, larger scale studies are needed to further validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
| | - Rui Lv
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, Jinan, China (R.L.)
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (R.L., L.W., Y.Z., M.H., D.T.)
| | - Akiko Maehara
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.M., G.S.M.)
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (R.L., L.W., Y.Z., M.H., D.T.)
| | - Zhanqun Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
| | - Yishuo Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
| | - Xiaoya Guo
- School of Science, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China (X.G.)
| | - Yanwen Zhu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (R.L., L.W., Y.Z., M.H., D.T.)
| | - Mengde Huang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (R.L., L.W., Y.Z., M.H., D.T.)
| | - Xiaoguo Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China (X.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China (X.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
| | - Haibo Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China (C.Z., Z.G., Y.X., B.Y., H.J.)
| | - Gary S. Mintz
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.M., G.S.M.)
| | - Dalin Tang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China (R.L., L.W., Y.Z., M.H., D.T.)
- Mathematical Sciences Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA (D.T.)
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Jansen I, Cahalane R, Hengst R, Akyildiz A, Farrell E, Gijsen F, Aikawa E, van der Heiden K, Wissing T. The interplay of collagen, macrophages, and microcalcification in atherosclerotic plaque cap rupture mechanics. Basic Res Cardiol 2024; 119:193-213. [PMID: 38329498 PMCID: PMC11008085 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-024-01033-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque cap overlying a lipid pool and/or necrotic core can lead to thrombotic cardiovascular events. In essence, the rupture of the plaque cap is a mechanical event, which occurs when the local stress exceeds the local tissue strength. However, due to inter- and intra-cap heterogeneity, the resulting ultimate cap strength varies, causing proper assessment of the plaque at risk of rupture to be lacking. Important players involved in tissue strength include the load-bearing collagenous matrix, macrophages, as major promoters of extracellular matrix degradation, and microcalcifications, deposits that can exacerbate local stress, increasing tissue propensity for rupture. This review summarizes the role of these components individually in tissue mechanics, along with the interplay between them. We argue that to be able to improve risk assessment, a better understanding of the effect of these individual components, as well as their reciprocal relationships on cap mechanics, is required. Finally, we discuss potential future steps, including a holistic multidisciplinary approach, multifactorial 3D in vitro model systems, and advancements in imaging techniques. The obtained knowledge will ultimately serve as input to help diagnose, prevent, and treat atherosclerotic cap rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Jansen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rachel Cahalane
- Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research Group (MMDRG), Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ranmadusha Hengst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Akyildiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Biomechanical Engineering, Technical University Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Farrell
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Gijsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Biomechanical Engineering, Technical University Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kim van der Heiden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tamar Wissing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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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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Ren S, Liu Q, Chen Z, Deng X, Sun A, Luan J. Hemodynamic evaluation of endarterectomy and stenting treatments for carotid web. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:993037. [PMID: 36337875 PMCID: PMC9630651 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.993037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A carotid web is a thin, shelf-like luminal protrusion in the internal carotid artery that might cause carotid stenosis and stroke by inducing disturbed flow patterns, thrombosis, and abnormal biomechanical stimulus to the endothelial cells. This study simulated and evaluated how the two main treatments (endarterectomy and stenting) influence hemodynamic environments in the carotid artery and distal carotid siphon arteries, aiming to provide more references for the selection of clinical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The carotid web, endarterectomy, and stenting models were reconstructed based on CT images. The blood flow simulations were conducted, and critical parameters related to thrombosis formation and artery remodeling, including swirling strength, wall shear stress (WSS), vortex Q-criterion, and oscillating shear index (OSI), were analyzed. RESULTS In the model of the carotid web, obvious recirculation formed distal to the web, accompanied by lower velocity, lower WSS, higher relative resident time (RRT), and higher Q value. While in both two treatment models, the velocity increased and the Q value and RRT decreased at the carotid bifurcation. In addition, both treatments provide more kinetic energy to the distal carotid siphon artery, especially the stenting model. CONCLUSION The carotid web can significantly influence the flow environments in the carotid artery. Both endarterectomy and stenting treatments could significantly diminish the side effects of the web and are feasible choices for web patients in terms of hemodynamics. Besides, the treatments for the carotid web would also influence the flow patterns at the distal carotid siphon, especially for the stenting treatment. But more innovational designs are needed to make the minimally invasive stenting treatment more beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Ren
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Qijia Liu
- Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zengsheng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Deng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Anqiang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Luan
- Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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5
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Lv R, Wang L, Maehara A, Guo X, Zheng J, Samady H, Giddens DP, Mintz GS, Stone GW, Tang D. Image-based biomechanical modeling for coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression and vulnerability prediction. Int J Cardiol 2022; 352:1-8. [PMID: 35149139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque progression and rupture play an important role in cardiovascular disease development and the final drastic events such as heart attack and stroke. Medical imaging and image-based computational modeling methods advanced considerably in recent years to quantify plaque morphology and biomechanical conditions and gain a better understanding of plaque evolution and rupture process. This article first briefly reviewed clinical imaging techniques for coronary thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) plaques used in image-based computational modeling. This was followed by a summary of different types of biomechanical models for coronary plaques. Plaque progression and vulnerability prediction studies based on image-based computational modeling were reviewed and compared. Much progress has been made and a reasonable high prediction accuracy has been achieved. However, there are still some inconsistencies in existing literature on the impact of biomechanical and morphological factors on future plaque behavior, and it is very difficult to perform direct comparison analysis as differences like image modality, biomechanical factors selection, predictive models, and progression/vulnerability measures exist among these studies. Encouraging data and model sharing across the research community would partially resolve these differences, and possibly lead to clearer assertive conclusions. In vivo image-based computational modeling could be used as a powerful tool for quantitative assessment of coronary plaque vulnerability for potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lv
- School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Akiko Maehara
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, USA.
| | - Xiaoya Guo
- School of Science, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Habib Samady
- School of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Don P Giddens
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Gary S Mintz
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Gregg W Stone
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, USA; The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA.
| | - Dalin Tang
- School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Mathematical Sciences Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, USA.
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Cai Y, Li Z. Mathematical modeling of plaque progression and associated microenvironment: How far from predicting the fate of atherosclerosis? COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 211:106435. [PMID: 34619601 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mathematical modeling contributes to pathophysiological research of atherosclerosis by helping to elucidate mechanisms and by providing quantitative predictions that can be validated. In turn, the complexity of atherosclerosis is well suited to quantitative approaches as it provides challenges and opportunities for new developments of modeling. In this review, we summarize the current 'state of the art' on the mathematical modeling of the effects of biomechanical factors and microenvironmental factors on the plaque progression, and its potential help in prediction of plaque development. We begin with models that describe the biomechanical environment inside and outside the plaque and its influence on its growth and rupture. We then discuss mathematical models that describe the dynamic evolution of plaque microenvironmental factors, such as lipid deposition, inflammation, smooth muscle cells migration and intraplaque hemorrhage, followed by studies on plaque growth and progression using these modelling approaches. Moreover, we present several key questions for future research. Mathematical models can complement experimental and clinical studies, but also challenge current paradigms, redefine our understanding of mechanisms driving plaque vulnerability and propose future potential direction in therapy for cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cai
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
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Lisický O, Hrubanová A, Burša J. Interpretation of Experimental Data is Substantial for Constitutive Characterization of Arterial Tissue. J Biomech Eng 2021; 143:1109033. [PMID: 33973008 DOI: 10.1115/1.4051120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The paper aims at evaluation of mechanical tests of soft tissues and creation of their representative stress-strain responses and respective constitutive models. Interpretation of sets of experimental results depends highly on the approach to the data analysis. Their common representation through mean and standard deviation may be misleading and give nonrealistic results. In the paper, raw data of seven studies consisting of 11 experimental data sets (concerning carotid wall and atheroma tissues) are re-analyzed to show the importance of their rigorous analysis. The sets of individual uniaxial stress-stretch curves are evaluated using three different protocols: stress-based, stretch-based, and constant-based, and the population-representative response is created by their mean or median values. Except for nearly linear responses, there are substantial differences between the resulting curves, being mostly the highest for constant-based evaluation. But also the stretch-based evaluation may change the character of the response significantly. Finally, medians of the stress-based responses are recommended as the most rigorous approach for arterial and other soft tissues with significant strain stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Lisický
- Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics, Brno University of Technology, Brno 601 90, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Hrubanová
- Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics, Brno University of Technology, Brno 601 90, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Burša
- Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics, Brno University of Technology, Brno 601 90, Czech Republic
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Bennati L, Vergara C, Domanin M, Malloggi C, Bissacco D, Trimarchi S, Silani V, Parati G, Casana R. A Computational Fluid-Structure Interaction Study for Carotids With Different Atherosclerotic Plaques. J Biomech Eng 2021; 143:1107993. [PMID: 33876184 DOI: 10.1115/1.4050910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that leads to accumulation of deposits, known as atherosclerotic plaques, within the walls of the carotids. In particular, three types of plaque can be distinguished: soft, fibrous, and calcific. Most of the computational studies who investigated the interplay between the plaque and the blood flow on patient-specific geometries used nonstandard medical images to directly delineate and segment the plaque and its components. However, these techniques are not so widely available in the clinical practice. In this context, the aim of our work was twofold: (i) to propose a new geometric tool that allowed to reconstruct a plausible plaque in the carotids from standard images and (ii) to perform three-dimensional (3D) fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations where we compared some fluid-dynamic and structural quantities among 15 patients characterized by different typologies of plaque. Our results highlighted that both the morphology and the mechanical properties of different plaque components play a crucial role in determining the vulnerability of the plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Bennati
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, Verona 37129, Italy
| | - Christian Vergara
- LABS, Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "Giulio Natta," Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Maurizio Domanin
- Vascular Surgery Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Chiara Malloggi
- Laboratory of Research in Vascular Surgery, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Daniele Bissacco
- Vascular Surgery Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Santi Trimarchi
- Vascular Surgery Unit, IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology-Stroke Unit and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Parati
- Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Renato Casana
- Laboratory of Research in Vascular Surgery, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan 20133, Italy; Department of Surgery, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan 20133, Italy
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9
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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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Johnston RD, Gaul RT, Lally C. An investigation into the critical role of fibre orientation in the ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of human carotid plaque caps. Acta Biomater 2021; 124:291-300. [PMID: 33571712 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The development and subsequent rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid arteries is a major cause of ischaemic stroke. Mechanical characterization of atherosclerotic plaques can aid our understanding of this rupture risk. Despite this however, experimental studies on human atherosclerotic carotid plaques, and fibrous plaque caps in particular, are very limited. This study aims to provide further insights into atherosclerotic plaque rupture by mechanically testing human fibrous plaque caps, the region of the atherosclerotic lesion most often attributed the highest risk of rupture. The results obtained highlight the variability in the ultimate tensile stress, strain and stiffness experienced in atherosclerotic plaque caps. By pre-screening all samples using small angle light scattering (SALS) to determine the dominant fibre direction in the tissue, along with supporting histological analysis, this work suggests that the collagen fibre alignment in the circumferential direction plays the most dominant role for determining plaque structural stability. The work presented in this study could provide the basis for new diagnostic approaches to be developed, which non-invasively identify carotid plaques at greatest risk of rupture. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical characterisation of the atherosclerotic plaque cap is of utmost importance for understanding the mechanisms that govern the rupture strength of this tissue in-vivo. Studies has shown that plaque tissue is heterogenous and comprises of many structural components, each of which exhibits a varying mechanical response. However, rupture generally is located to the plaque cap, whereby the stress exerted on this location exceeds its mechanical strength causing failure. This work shows, for the first time, that the underlying collagen fibre architecture of carotid plaque caps governs their strength and stiffness. This study shows that plaque caps with collagen fibres aligned in the predominately circumferential direction experience higher stresses and lower strains before failure while those with predominately axial fibres display the opposite trend. Furthermore, total collagen content was found not to play a dominant role in determining the mechanical response of the tissue. The present study provides critical insights into human atherosclerotic plaque tissue mechanics and offers clinically relevant insights for mechanically sensitive imaging techniques, such as strain-based ultrasound or MRI.
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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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12
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Lisický O, Malá A, Bednařík Z, Novotný T, Burša J. Consideration of stiffness of wall layers is decisive for patient-specific analysis of carotid artery with atheroma. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239447. [PMID: 32991605 PMCID: PMC7523976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper deals with the impact of chosen geometric and material factors on maximal stresses in carotid atherosclerotic plaque calculated using patient-specific finite element models. These stresses are believed to be decisive for the plaque vulnerability but all applied models suffer from inaccuracy of input data, especially when obtained in vivo only. One hundred computational models based on ex vivo MRI are used to investigate the impact of wall thickness, MRI slice thickness, lipid core and fibrous tissue stiffness, and media anisotropy on the calculated peak plaque and peak cap stresses. The investigated factors are taken as continuous in the range based on published experimental results, only the impact of anisotropy is evaluated by comparison with a corresponding isotropic model. Design of Experiment concept is applied to assess the statistical significance of these investigated factors representing uncertainties in the input data of the model. The results show that consideration of realistic properties of arterial wall in the model is decisive for the stress evaluation; assignment of properties of fibrous tissue even to media and adventitia layers as done in some studies may induce up to eightfold overestimation of peak stress. The impact of MRI slice thickness may play a key role when local thin fibrous cap is present. Anisotropy of media layer is insignificant, and the stiffness of fibrous tissue and lipid core may become significant in some combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Lisický
- Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Aneta Malá
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, The Czech Academy of Science, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Bednařík
- 1st Department of Pathology, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Novotný
- 2nd Department of Surgery, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Burša
- Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
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Wang D, Serracino-Inglott F, Feng J. Numerical simulations of patient-specific models with multiple plaques in human peripheral artery: a fluid-structure interaction analysis. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2020; 20:255-265. [PMID: 32915332 PMCID: PMC7892515 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-020-01381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque in the femoral is the leading cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD), the worse consequence of which may lead to ulceration and gangrene of the feet. Numerical studies on fluid-structure interactions (FSI) of atherosclerotic femoral arteries enable quantitative analysis of biomechanical features in arteries. This study aims to investigate the hemodynamic performance and its interaction with femoral arterial wall based on the patient-specific model with multiple plaques (calcified and lipid plaques). Three types of models, calcification-only, lipid-only and calcification-lipid models, are established. Hyperelastic material coefficients of the human femoral arteries obtained from experimental studies are employed for all simulations. Oscillation of WSS is observed in the healthy downstream region in the lipid-only model. The pressure around the plaques in the two-plaque model is lower than that in the corresponding one-plaque models due to the reduction of blood flow domain, which consequently diminishes the loading forces on both plaques. Therefore, we found that stress acting on the plaques in the two-plaque model is lower than that in the corresponding one-plaque models. This finding implies that the lipid plaque, accompanied by the calcified plaque around, might reduce its risk of rupture due to the reduced the stress acting on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Wang
- Department of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Jiling Feng
- Department of Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.
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Hirschhorn M, Tchantchaleishvili V, Stevens R, Rossano J, Throckmorton A. Fluid–structure interaction modeling in cardiovascular medicine – A systematic review 2017–2019. Med Eng Phys 2020; 78:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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15
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Paritala PK, Yarlagadda PKDV, Kansky R, Wang J, Mendieta JB, Gu Y, McGahan T, Lloyd T, Li Z. Stress-Relaxation and Cyclic Behavior of Human Carotid Plaque Tissue. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:60. [PMID: 32117939 PMCID: PMC7026010 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is a catastrophic event that contributes to mortality and long-term disability. A better understanding of the plaque mechanical behavior is essential for the identification of vulnerable plaques pre-rupture. Plaque is subjected to a natural dynamic mechanical environment under hemodynamic loading. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanical response of plaque tissue under cyclic loading conditions. Moreover, experimental data of such mechanical properties are fundamental for more clinically relevant biomechanical modeling and numerical simulations for risk stratification. This study aims to experimentally and numerically characterize the stress-relaxation and cyclic mechanical behavior of carotid plaque tissue. Instron microtester equipped with a custom-developed setup was used for the experiments. Carotid plaque samples excised at endarterectomy were subjected to uniaxial tensile, stress-relaxation, and cyclic loading protocols. Thirty percent of the underlying load level obtained from the uniaxial tensile test results was used to determine the change in mechanical properties of the tissue over time under a controlled testing environment (Control tests). The stress-relaxation test data was used to calibrate the hyperelastic (neo-Hookean, Ogden, Yeoh) and linear viscoelastic (Prony series) material parameters. The normalized relaxation force increased initially and slowly stabilized toward the end of relaxation phase, highlighting the viscoelastic behavior. During the cyclic tests, there was a decrease in the peak force as a function of the cycle number indicating mechanical distension due to repeated loading that varied with different frequencies. The material also accumulated residual deformation, which increased with the cycle number. This trend showed softening behavior of the samples. The results of this preliminary study provide an enhanced understanding of in vivo stress-relaxation and cyclic behavior of the human atherosclerotic plaque tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phani Kumari Paritala
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Prasad K D V Yarlagadda
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rhys Kansky
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jiaqiu Wang
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica Benitez Mendieta
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - YuanTong Gu
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tim McGahan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Department of Radiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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16
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Juarez-Orozco LE, Monroy-Gonzalez A, Prakken NHJ, Noordzij W, Knuuti J, deKemp RA, Slart RHJA. Phase analysis of gated PET in the evaluation of mechanical ventricular synchrony: A narrative overview. J Nucl Cardiol 2019; 26:1904-1913. [PMID: 30834496 PMCID: PMC6908565 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01670-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive imaging modalities offer the possibility to dynamically evaluate cardiac motion during the cardiac cycle by means of ECG-gated acquisitions. Such motion characterization along with orientation, segmentation preprocessing, and ultimately, phase analysis, can provide quantitative estimates of ventricular mechanical synchrony. Current evidence on the role of mechanical synchrony evaluation is mainly available for echocardiography and gated single-photon emission computed tomography, but less is known about the utilization of gated positron emission tomography (PET). Although data available are sparse, there is indication that mechanical synchrony evaluation can be of diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease-related myocardial ischemia, prediction of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, and estimation of risk for adverse cardiac events in patients' heart failure. As such, the evaluation of mechanical ventricular synchrony through phase analysis of gated acquisitions represents a value addition to modern cardiac PET imaging modality, which warrants further research and development in the evaluation of patients with cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Eduardo Juarez-Orozco
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Andrea Monroy-Gonzalez
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek H J Prakken
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Noordzij
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Juhani Knuuti
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Robert A deKemp
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, National Cardiac PET Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Riemer H J A Slart
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Biomedical Photonic Imaging, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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17
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Saba L, Lanzino G, Lucatelli P, Lavra F, Sanfilippo R, Montisci R, Suri JS, Yuan C. Carotid Plaque CTA Analysis in Symptomatic Subjects with Bilateral Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: A Preliminary Analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2019; 40:1538-1545. [PMID: 31395662 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The presence of IPH is considered the most dangerous feature because it is significantly associated with clinical ipsilateral cerebrovascular events. Our aim was to explore the characterization of plaque with CT in symptomatic subjects with bilateral intraplaque hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three-hundred-forty-three consecutive patients with recent anterior circulation ischemic events (<2 weeks) and CT of the carotid arteries (performed within 14 days of the cerebrovascular event) evaluated between June 2012 and September 2017 were analyzed for plaque volume composition to identify all subjects with bilateral intraplaque hemorrhage. Plaque volume was semiautomatically measured, and tissue components were classified according to the attenuation values such as the following: calcified (for values of ≥130 HU), mixed (for values of ≥60 and <130 HU), lipid (for values of ≥25 and <60 HU), and intraplaque hemorrhage (for values of <25 HU). Twenty-one subjects (15 men; mean age, 70 ± 11 years; range, 44-87 years) had bilateral intraplaque hemorrhage and were included in the analysis. RESULTS Volume measurement revealed significantly larger plaques on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic one (mean, 28 ± 9 versus 22 ± 8 mm, P = .007). Intraplaque hemorrhage volume and percentage were also significantly higher in the plaque ipsilateral to the cerebrovascular event (P < .001 and < .001, respectively). The volume of other plaque components did not show a statically significant association except for lipid and lipid + intraplaque hemorrhage percentages (23% versus 18% and 11% versus 15%), which were significantly different between the symptomatic and the asymptomatic sides (.016 and .011, respectively). The intraplaque hemorrhage/lipid ratio was higher on the symptomatic side (0.596 versus 0.171, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with bilateral intraplaque hemorrhage and recent ischemic symptoms, the plaque ipsilateral to the symptomatic side has significantly larger volume and a higher percentage of intraplaque hemorrhage compared with the contralateral, asymptomatic side.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Saba
- From the Department of Radiology (L.S., F.L., R.S., R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - G Lanzino
- Department of Neurologic Surgery (G.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - P Lucatelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences-Radiology (P.L.), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Lavra
- From the Department of Radiology (L.S., F.L., R.S., R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - R Sanfilippo
- From the Department of Radiology (L.S., F.L., R.S., R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - R Montisci
- From the Department of Radiology (L.S., F.L., R.S., R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - J S Suri
- Diagnostic and Monitoring Division (J.S.S.), Atheropoint, Roseville, California.,Department of Electrical Engineering (J.S.S.), University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - C Yuan
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research (C.Y.), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology (C.Y.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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18
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Ahmadi M, Ansari R. Computational simulation of an artery narrowed by plaque using 3D FSI method: influence of the plaque angle, non-Newtonian properties of the blood flow and the hyperelastic artery models. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2019. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab323f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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19
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Moerman AM, Dilba K, Korteland S, Poot DHJ, Klein S, van der Lugt A, Rouwet EV, van Gaalen K, Wentzel JJ, van der Steen AFW, Gijsen FJH, Van der Heiden K. An MRI-based method to register patient-specific wall shear stress data to histology. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217271. [PMID: 31170183 PMCID: PMC6553699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wall shear stress (WSS), the frictional force exerted on endothelial cells by blood flow, is hypothesised to influence atherosclerotic plaque growth and composition. We developed a methodology for image registration of MR and histology images of advanced human carotid plaques and corresponding WSS data, obtained by MRI and computational fluid dynamics. The image registration method requires four types of input images, in vivo MRI, ex vivo MRI, photographs of transversally sectioned plaque tissue and histology images. These images are transformed to a shared 3D image domain by applying a combination of rigid and non-rigid registration algorithms. Transformation matrices obtained from registration of these images are used to transform subject-specific WSS data to the shared 3D image domain as well. WSS values originating from the 3D WSS map are visualised in 2D on the corresponding lumen locations in the histological sections and divided into eight radial segments. In each radial segment, the correlation between WSS values and plaque composition based on histological parameters can be assessed. The registration method was successfully applied to two carotid endarterectomy specimens. The resulting matched contours from the imaging modalities had Hausdorff distances between 0.57 and 0.70 mm, which is in the order of magnitude of the in vivo MRI resolution. We simulated the effect of a mismatch in the rigid registration of imaging modalities on WSS results by relocating the WSS data with respect to the stack of histology images. A 0.6 mm relocation altered the mean WSS values projected on radial bins on average by 0.59 Pa, compared to the output of original registration. This mismatch of one image slice did not change the correlation between WSS and plaque thickness. In conclusion, we created a method to investigate correlations between WSS and plaque composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. M. Moerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K. Dilba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S. Korteland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D. H. J. Poot
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S. Klein
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A. van der Lugt
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E. V. Rouwet
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K. van Gaalen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. J. Wentzel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - F. J. H. Gijsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K. Van der Heiden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Johnson KW, Glicksberg BS, Shameer K, Vengrenyuk Y, Krittanawong C, Russak AJ, Sharma SK, Narula JN, Dudley JT, Kini AS. A transcriptomic model to predict increase in fibrous cap thickness in response to high-dose statin treatment: Validation by serial intracoronary OCT imaging. EBioMedicine 2019; 44:41-49. [PMID: 31126891 PMCID: PMC6607084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrous cap thickness (FCT), best measured by intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT), is the most important determinant of plaque rupture in the coronary arteries. Statin treatment increases FCT and thus reduces the likelihood of acute coronary events. However, substantial statin-related FCT increase occurs in only a subset of patients. Currently, there are no methods to predict which patients will benefit. We use transcriptomic data from a clinical trial of rosuvastatin to predict if a patient's FCT will increase in response to statin therapy. Methods FCT was measured using OCT in 69 patients at (1) baseline and (2) after 8–10 weeks of 40 mg rosuvastatin. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assayed via microarray. We constructed machine learning models with baseline gene expression data to predict change in FCT. Finally, we ascertained the biological functions of the most predictive transcriptomic markers. Findings Machine learning models were able to predict FCT responders using baseline gene expression with high fidelity (Classification AUC = 0.969 and 0.972). The first model (elastic net) using 73 genes had an accuracy of 92.8%, sensitivity of 94.1%, and specificity of 91.4%. The second model (KTSP) using 18 genes has an accuracy of 95.7%, sensitivity of 94.3%, and specificity of 97.1%. We found 58 enriched gene ontology terms, including many involved with immune cell function and cholesterol biometabolism. Interpretation In this pilot study, transcriptomic models could predict if FCT increased following 8–10 weeks of rosuvastatin. These findings may have significance for therapy selection and could supplement invasive imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kipp W Johnson
- Institute for Next Generation Healthcare, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Benjamin S Glicksberg
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, The University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Khader Shameer
- Advanced Analytics Center, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America
| | - Yuliya Vengrenyuk
- Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chayakrit Krittanawong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Adam J Russak
- Institute for Next Generation Healthcare, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Samin K Sharma
- Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jagat N Narula
- Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Joel T Dudley
- Institute for Next Generation Healthcare, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Annapoorna S Kini
- Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY, United States of America.
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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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