Effect of Plaque Composition on Fibrous Cap Stress in Carotid Endarterectomy Specimens

Abstract

Researchers agree that studies of human plaque mechanical behavior should seek to describe local tissue stress and identify plaque features that underlie stability and instability 123. Moreover, it has been suggested that a complete understanding of vascular mechanical behavior in both health and disease will rely upon successfully coupling experimentation with appropriate modeling, using techniques such as finite elements 4. The underlying hypothesis of our work is that tissue mechanics, morphology, and morphogenesis are related in human atherosclerosis as determinants of plaque composition, vessel remodeling, and susceptibility to complication. Studies that continue to clarify this synergism will yield important information about atherogenesis, disease progression, and the discernable precursors to complications such as plaque disruption in vivo.