3D fiber orientation in atherosclerotic carotid plaques

A.C. Akyildiz, C.-K. Chai, C.W.J. Oomens, A. van der Lugt, F.P.T. Baaijens, G.J. Strijkers, F.J.H. Gijsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the primary trigger of fatal cardiovascular events. Fibrillar collagen in atherosclerotic plaques and their directionality are anticipated to play a crucial role in plaque rupture. This study aimed assessing 3D fiber orientations and architecture in atherosclerotic plaques for the first time. Seven carotid plaques were imaged ex-vivo with a state-of-the-art Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) technique, using a high magnetic field (9.4 Tesla) MRI scanner. A 3D spin-echo sequence with uni-polar diffusion sensitizing pulsed field gradients was utilized for DTI and fiber directions were assessed from diffusion tensor measurements. The distribution of the 3D fiber orientations in atherosclerotic plaques were quantified and the principal fiber orientations (circumferential, longitudinal or radial) were determined. Overall, 52% of the fiber orientations in the carotid plaque specimens were closest to the circumferential direction, 34% to the longitudinal direction, and 14% to the radial direction. Statistically no significant difference was measured in the amount of the fiber orientations between the concentric and eccentric plaque sites. However, concentric plaque sites showed a distinct structural organization, where the principally longitudinally oriented fibers were closer the luminal side and the principally circumferentially oriented fibers were located more abluminally. The acquired unique information on 3D plaque fiber direction will help understanding pathobiological mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque progression and pave the road to more realistic biomechanical plaque modeling for rupture assessment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)28-35
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Structural Biology
Volume200
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atherosclerosis/diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging
  • Fibrillar Collagens/chemistry
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary

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