Three dimensional fluid structure interaction analysis of carotid artery models with different calcification patterns

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Carotid atherosclerosis necessitates endovascular interventions, carrying inherent risks.
• Accurate prediction of mechanical behavior in calcified carotid plaques is crucial for mitigating procedural risks.
• Plaque morphology, particularly calcification patterns, is a critical factor in mechanical behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of varying calcification morphologies on the mechanical behavior of carotid artery plaques.
• To assess how geometric changes in calcification affect plaque mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations.
• Employed the Finite Element Method (FEM) on four distinct 3D carotid artery models.
• Models featured diverse calcification patterns and lipid content.

Main Results:

• Plaque geometry significantly alters circumferential strain magnitude and spatial distribution.
• Diffused calcification with lipid exhibited the highest circumferential strain (0.08).
• Calcification surrounding lipid reduced principal stress from 80 KPa to 60 KPa in the diffused model.

Conclusions:

• Morphological features of calcified plaques are pivotal in predicting plaque rupture.
• Understanding these features aids in optimizing treatment strategies for carotid atherosclerosis.
• Mechanical behavior prediction is essential for safer endovascular interventions.