Radial Distribution of Elasticity in Porcine Thoracic Aorta

Objective: We assessed the radial distribution of elasticity in healthy porcine thoracic aorta. Methods: Cylindrical aortic specimens (n=24) were tested in a uniaxial tension device so that their Stiffness Modulus (SM) could be determined. The specimens were divided into three groups: Group A, radial stretching at zero degrees; Group B, radial stretching at forty five degrees; and Group C, radial stretching at ninety degrees. Results: Stress-Strain analysis showed that (SM-A) vs. (SM-B) and (SM-A vs. SM-C) and (SM-B vs. SM-C) were not statistically different for all strain levels (e=0.5, 1, 1.5, 2.3). Conclusions: In vitro, the radial expansion of aortic tissue appears to be uniform.Thus, diminished elastic properties of the aorta in cases of atheromatosis, would appear in these radial directions where the tissue is atheromatic. So, a useful site prediction could be made for future development of vessel abnormalities (i.e. aneurysm rupture) and the necessary vascular prosthesis might be applied more effectively.