Local anisotropic mechanical properties of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques – Characterisation by micro-indentation and inverse finite element analysis. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chai, Chen-Ket; Akyildiz, Ali C.; Speelman, Lambert; Gijsen, Frank J.H.; Oomens, Cees W.J.; van Sambeek, Marc R.H.M.; Lugt, Aad van der; Baaijens, Frank P.T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials. Volume 43(2015)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis -- Plaque rupture -- Anisotropy -- Carotid artery -- Finite element method; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials; Biomedical materials -- Mechanical properties; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2014.12.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-6161

Abstract

Abstract: Biomechanical models have the potential to predict failure of atherosclerotic plaques and to improve the risk assessment of plaque rupture. The applicability of these models depends strongly on the used material models. Current biomechanical models employ isotropic material models, although it is generally accepted that plaque tissue behaves highly anisotropic. The aim of the present study is to determine the local anisotropic mechanical properties of human atherosclerotic plaque tissue by means of micro-indentation tests. The indentation was performed on top of an inverted confocal microscope allowing the visualisation and quantification of the collagen fibre deformations perpendicular to the indentation direction of the plaque. Based on this, the anisotropic properties of plaque tissue perpendicular to the indentation direction (middle of the fibrous cap, shoulder of the cap, remaining intima tissue) were derived. There were no significant differences between the different indentation locations for the fibre stiffness (total median 80.6 kPa, 25th–75th percentile 17.7–157.0 kPa), and fibre dispersion.