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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2016
Phase-contrast MRI-based elastography technique detects early hypertensive changes in ex vivo porcine aortic wall
David A Woodrum1, Joerg Herrmann, Amir Lerman
1Radiology Department, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Woodrum.david@mayo.edu
Purpose:
To measure the elastic properties of ex vivo porcine aortas in control and hypertensive groups using a phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based elastography technique.
Materials And Methods:
Female domestic pigs were randomized to a normal control group (N; n=5) or a renovascular hypertension group (HT; n=5) for the duration of 3 months. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (173+/-12 vs. 115+/-11 mmHg, P
Results:
The Young's modulus-wall thickness product, a reflection of vascular stiffness, was significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (0.571+/-0.080 vs. 0.419+/-0.026, P<0.05). Histological analysis and staining confirmed increased intima-media thickness and collagen content in the hypertensive aorta, while elastin staining showed no difference.
Conclusion:
The current study shows that MR elastography offers a method to study the physiologic changes in the arterial wall secondary to early hypertension.
