Improving prediction of heart attacks and strokes : anisotropic mechanical behaviour of plaques

Biomechanical models allow stress analysis and can predict stress peaks in atherosclerotic plaques. Studies have shown that these models might be capable to predict failure locations and improve the risk assessment of plaque rupture. However, biomechanical models depend strongly on the applied material model. Current models assume isotropic behaviour, but biological tissue, including plaque tissue, behave highly anisotropic. Therefore, current biomechanical models rely on general over-simplifications. Material parameters describing the anisotropic mechanical behaviour of plaque tissue are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterise the local anisotropic mechanical behaviour of human atherosclerotic plaque tissue