Patient-specific biomechanical analysis of atherosclerotic plaques enabled by histologically validated tissue characterization from computed tomography angiography: A case study.

Background: Rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques with a large lipid-rich necrotic core and a thin fibrous cap cause myocardial infarction and stroke. Yet it has not been possible to assess this for individual patients. Clinical guidelines still rely on use of luminal narrowing, a poor indicator but one that persists for lack of effective means to do better.