Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Manufacturing Abdominal Aorta Hydrogel Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms for Ultrasound Elastography Validation
Published on: September 19, 2018
Finite element modeling of the thoracic aorta: including aortic root motion to evaluate the risk of aortic dissection
C J Beller1, M R Labrosse, M J Thubrikar
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF 326, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. carsten.beller@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Objective:
We propose that the aortic root motion plays an important role in aortic dissection.
Methods And Results:
A finite element model of the aortic root, arch and branches of the arch was built to assess the influence of aortic root displacement and pressure on the aortic wall stress. The largest stress increase due to aortic root displacement was found at approximately 2 cm above the top of the aortic valve. There, the longitudinal stress increased by 50% to 0.32 MPa when 8.9 mm axial displacement was applied in addition to 120 mmHg luminal pressure. A similar result was observed when the pressure load was increased to 180 mmHg without axial displacement.
Conclusions:
Both aortic root displacement and hypertension significantly increase the longitudinal stress in the ascending aorta, which could play a decisive role in the development of various aortic pathologies, including aortic dissection.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Thoracic Aorta
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...