title: Distribution of wall shear stress in carotid plaques using magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics analysis: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wall shear stress is an important factor in the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The purpose of this study was to assess the distribution of wall shear stress in advanced carotid plaques using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight diseased internal carotid arteries in seven patients were evaluated. High resolution magnetic resonance imaging was used to visualize the plaque structures, and the mechanic stress in the plaque was obtained by combining vascular imaging post-processing with computational fluid dynamics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wall shear stresses in the plaques in all cases were higher than those in control group. Maximal shear stresses in the plaques were observed at the top of plaque hills, as well as the shoulders of the plaques. Among them, the maximal shear stress in the ruptured plaque was observed in the rupture location in three cases and at the shoulder of fibrous cap in two cases. The maximal shear stress was also seen at the region of calcification, in thrombus region and in the thickest region of plaque in the other three cases, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Determination of maximal shear stress at the plaque may be useful for predicting the rupture location of the plaque and may play an important role in assessing plaque vulnerability.
authors: Department of Radiology, Affiliated Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Li-Na
authors: LN
authors: Jing
authors: Pei-Yi
authors: PY
authors: Gao
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Lin
authors: Bin-Bin
authors: BB
authors: Sui
authors: Hai-Qiang
authors: HQ
authors: Qin
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Ma
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Xue
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013314:Stress, Mechanical