Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biomechanics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Medical Imaging Analysis

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of global mortality and economic burden.
• Novel methods are needed to analyze and predict atherosclerotic plaque progression.
• Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) offers a computational approach to study blood flow-plaque interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive workflow for biomechanical analysis of coronary atherosclerotic plaque.
• To demonstrate the application of FSI coupled with in vivo imaging for patient-specific analysis.
• To assist in differentiating stable from unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Main Methods:

• Utilized intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for 3D reconstruction.
• Extracted boundary conditions, including 3D arterial motion, for finite element simulations.
• Modeled nonlinear hyperelastic artery properties and pulsatile blood flow dynamics.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the workflow on a lipid-rich plaque post-myocardial infarction.
• Analyzed biomechanical markers like wall shear stress and local normalized helicity.
• Correlated simulation results with structural responses in the artery wall and plaque.

Conclusions:

• The FSI workflow shows promise for identifying atherosclerosis-prone sites.
• This approach could aid in managing the significant health and economic impact of atherosclerosis.
• Further development can enhance clinical relevance for risk stratification and patient management.