Location of Plaque Ulceration in Human Coronary Arteries is Related to Shear Stress

Vulnerable plaques are characterized by the presence of a large lipid pool, which is separated from the lumen by a thin fibrous cap. Rupture of this fibrous cap is generally regarded as one of the main underlying causes of cardiovascular events (1). The composition of the plaque plays a crucial role in the rupture process: it determines how blood pressure is translated into stresses in the wall, and composition also determines the strength of the tissue.