Fig. 4

Stress on the fibrous cap in dependence of the ICA in a finite elements structural analysis. A higher PCS can be seen in the fibrous cap directly overlying a calcification with a smaller ICA (30°, a) as compared to a calcification with an ICA of 180° (b). Spatial stress distributions are reported in C and D for these two scenarios. ICA intrinsic calcification angle, PCS peak cap stress. In a and b, vessel lumen is shown in white, and a calcification with different morphology is embedded in the vessel wall and contoured with a black line