Consideration of stiffness of wall layers is decisive for patient-specific analysis of carotid artery with atheroma

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239447
• Publication Date: 2020-09-29T14:05:38Z
• Authors: Ondřej Lisický; Aneta Malá; Zdeněk Bednařík; Tomáš Novotný; Jiří Burša
• Keywords: Fibrous cap; Adventitia; Arterial wall; Atheroma; Ex vivo

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 are believed to be decisive for vulnerability but all applied models suffer from inaccuracy input data, especially when obtained vivo only. One hundred computational based ex MRI used investigate wall thickness, slice lipid core fibrous tissue stiffness, media anisotropy peak cap stresses. investigated taken as continuous range published experimental results, only is evaluated by comparison a corresponding isotropic model. Design Experiment concept assess statistical significance these representing uncertainties data results show that consideration realistic properties arterial model stress evaluation; assignment even adventitia layers done some studies may induce up eightfold overestimation stress. thickness play key role local thin present. Anisotropy layer insignificant, stiffness become significant combinations.