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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2012 Sep;5(9):941–955. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2012.07.007

Figure 4. Graph Highlighting the Influences of Remodeling Index and Relative Necrotic Core Thickness on Critical TCFA Thickness.

Figure 4

The critical thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) thickness is defined as the value at which cap stress reaches the critical or rupture point tensile stress. Vulnerable plaques with relative necrotic core thicknesses of 90%, 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% become unstable below their respective curves. Thus, the unstable region for vulnerable plaques with relative necrotic core thickness of 10% is indicated in light gray, whereas for 30% thickness, the unstable region is the summation of gray and green light areas. Plaques with low remodeling index and a large relative necrotic core thickness are more prone to rupture, having a higher critical TCFA thickness. Reprinted, with permission, from Ohayon et al. (18).