Biomechanical Characterization of Porcine Lower Limb Arteries for Preclinical Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular...

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly affects the lower extremities, where complex biomechanical deformations during limb flexion contribute to disease progression and treatment failure. While human and cadaver studies have characterized these deformations, preclinical device testing requires large-animal models that replicate human arterial anatomy and biomechanics. Swine are commonly used, yet their biomechanical comparability to humans remains poorly defined.

We performed a detailed morphometric and biomechanical analysis of the external iliac (EIA), superficial femoral (SFA), and popliteal (PA) arteries in 20 Yucatan and 16 domestic swine using computed tomography angiography. Arteries were evaluated in straight and flexed limb postures to assess diameters, lengths, axial compression, tortuosity, bending angles, and inscribed sphere radii. Breed-specific effects of age and weight were also analyzed.

Porcine arterial dimensions closely matched human lower extremity vessels. EIA diameters (4.9-7.2 mm) corresponded to human SFA, porcine SFA (4.1-5.9 mm) approximated human PA, and porcine PA (3.0-4.7 mm) resembled human tibial arteries. Segment lengths supported use of multiple devices. Flexion induced 12-33% axial compression, mimicking worst-case human scenarios. Tortuosity increased distally, and bending characteristics in porcine PAs aligned with human data. In Yucatan swine, vessel diameters were stable with age and weight, while domestic swine exhibited greater variability. Flexion-induced compression and tortuosity were not influenced by age or weight.

Swine are well-suited for modeling the geometry and biomechanics of human lower extremity arteries. Their anatomical compatibility and ability to replicate physiologic deformations make them valuable models for preclinical testing of PAD therapies and vascular devices.