Regression models of atherosclerotic plaque biomechanics and their statistical optimisation

A. V. Dol'^a, M. N. Mikhin<sup>b

a</sup> Saratov State University
^b Russian State University for the Humanities, Domodedovo, Russia

Abstract: The paper addresses a number of issues related to the study of carotid artery stenosis. To assess the risk of plaque detachment by biomechanical methods, it is necessary to know the elastic moduli of atherosclerotic plaque components. They can be determined in vivo from the value of the Hounsfield units (HU) on a computed tomography (CT) scan. In a series of experiments (26 patients), the Young's moduli of the specimens considered were determined by uniaxial compression of atherosclerotic plaques removed during endarterectomy, and then the average Hounsfield unit for each plaque was determined on CT. A regression relationship between Young's modulus and Hounsfield units was constructed from the data obtained. The obtained regression relationship allows us to determine the mechanical properties of individual structural elements of plaques by CT and use them in biomechanical modelling to assess the risk of detachment and further thrombosis.

Keywords: elastic modulus, Hounsfield units, atherosclerosis, plaque, statistics, regression.

UDC: 539.374

Received: 10.02.2025
Revised: 17.06.2025
Accepted: 22.04.2025

DOI: 10.37972/chgpu.2025.63.1.011