Related Experiment Videos
Residual strains in conduit arteries
1Department of Histopathology and Morbid Anatomy, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Royal London Hospital, Barts and the London, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BB, UK.
Journal of Biomechanics
|April 16, 2003
Summary
Residual strains in arteries, characterized by the opening angle, improve arterial compliance and performance. These strains also enhance smooth muscle cell control of the arterial lumen.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Residual strains and stresses exist in biological tissues after external loads are removed.
- In arteries, residual strains manifest as an opening angle in unloaded, radially cut ring segments.
- Understanding these strains is crucial for comprehending arterial mechanics and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental methods for measuring arterial residual strains.
- To discuss the factors influencing the arterial opening angle.
- To elucidate the functional significance of residual strains in arteries.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental techniques for quantifying residual strains in arterial tissues.
- Analysis of existing data on the arterial opening angle.
- Discussion of factors affecting residual strains, including localization, age, and smooth muscle activity.
Main Results:
- The arterial opening angle varies with arterial location, age, smooth muscle activity, mechanical environment, and vascular pathologies.
- Residual strains homogenize the stress distribution within the arterial wall.
- Residual strains increase arterial compliance, enhancing their role as elastic reservoirs.
Conclusions:
- Residual strains are integral to arterial mechanics, improving compliance and stress distribution.
- These strains facilitate effective local control of the arterial lumen by smooth muscle cells.
- Evidence suggests residual strains can persist in arteries even after radial cutting.