Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
11:13
Porcine Model of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: November 21, 2019
Significant differences in the material properties between aged human and porcine aortic tissues
Caitlin Martin1, Thuy Pham, Wei Sun
1Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Program and Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
Summary
Aged human aortic tissues are significantly stiffer and structurally different from porcine tissues. These findings question the use of porcine models for percutaneous aortic valve replacement research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Materials Science
Background:
- Percutaneous aortic valve (PAV) replacement is an alternative for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis.
- PAV success depends on tissue-stent interaction, often studied using porcine models.
- The suitability of porcine models for human aortic tissue biomechanics is uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare the biomechanical properties of aged human and porcine aortic tissues.
- To evaluate the structural differences between human and porcine aortic tissues.
Main Methods:
- Quantified biaxial mechanical properties of human and porcine aortic tissues (left/right coronary sinus, non-coronary sinus, ascending aorta).
- Analyzed tissue structure using histological techniques.
- Compared aged human (90.1 ± 6.8 years) and porcine (6-9 months) heart tissues.
Main Results:
- Aged human aortic tissues exhibited significantly greater stiffness than porcine tissues (p < 0.001) in both circumferential and longitudinal directions.
- Human tissues showed nonlinear stress-strain behavior, while porcine tissues displayed nearly linear behavior.
- Histology revealed porcine samples had more elastin and less collagen than human samples.
Conclusions:
- Significant material and structural differences exist between aged human and porcine aortic tissues.
- These disparities raise concerns about the validity of using porcine models for PAV biomechanical studies.
- Further research is needed to refine animal models for PAV intervention development.
