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In vitro Assessment of Aortic Regurgitation Using Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: February 25, 2022
3.5K
Direct visualization of interstitial flow distribution in aortic walls.
Wataru Fukui1, Yoshihiro Ujihara1, Masanori Nakamura1,2,3
1Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8555, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|March 31, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to measure interstitial flow velocity in aortic walls using fluorescent dye. This technique revealed faster flow at higher pressures, potentially linking flow dynamics to aortic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) respond to fluid shear stress, altering their phenotype.
- Altered VSMC phenotype is implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic diseases.
- Interstitial flow in aortic walls is a potential factor in disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for directly measuring interstitial flow velocity in aortic walls.
- To investigate the relationship between intraluminal pressure and interstitial flow velocity.
- To analyze the spatial distribution of interstitial flow within the aortic wall.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo pressurized mouse thoracic aorta model.
- Intraluminal administration of a fluorescent dye.
- Two-photon microscopy for visualization of dye movement.
- Application of a 1D advection-diffusion equation to kymographs for velocity determination.
Main Results:
- Successfully visualized and quantified interstitial fluid flow from the intima to the adventitia.
- Interstitial flow velocity increased with higher intraluminal pressure.
- Radial flow velocity was higher on the intimal side compared to the adventitial side.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method enables direct visualization and measurement of interstitial flow velocity in aortic walls.
- Increased interstitial flow velocity under elevated pressure may contribute to aortic disease development.
- Localized faster flow on the intimal side correlates with regions prone to hypertensive hyperplasia.
