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

Carotid atherosclerosis treatments involve endovascular intervention. Predicting the mechanical behavior of carotid artery with calcified plaques can decrease the high risk for endovascular procedures. The aim of this research is to study the impact of morphological changes in calcification on the mechanical behavior of plaques. Fluid structure interaction simulations were applied to four 3D carotid artery models, with different calcification patterns, using the FEM. Results show that the magnitude and the spatial distribution of the circumferential strain is greatly affected by geometrical plaque morphology. The highest strain of 0.08 was observed for the diffused calcification with lipid model as compared to the strain in other plaque models (0.042, 0.031). The presence of a calcification region surrounding the lipid lowered the first principal stress value from 80KPa to 60KPa for the diffused calcification with lipid model. The morphological features of calcified plaques may play an important role in assessing plaque rupture and the choice of treatment plan.