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An Experimental and Computational Investigation to Establish the Mechanical Behaviour of Paediatric Aortic
Robert D Johnston1,2,3, Niall Linnane1,2,4,5, Shirsha Bose1,2,3
1Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
This study quantifies the mechanical properties of coarctation of the aorta tissue in children. Understanding these biomechanics is crucial for developing better treatments for aortic coarctation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Paediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) mechanics are poorly understood, impacting paediatric treatment.
- Current endovascular stents are often used off-label and don't consider coarcted tissue biomechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the mechanical behaviour and layer-specific material parameters of paediatric aortic coarctation (CoA) tissue.
- To address the knowledge gap in CoA tissue biomechanics for improved paediatric treatment.
Main Methods:
- Uniaxial ring testing and histological assessment of paediatric CoA samples.
- Finite element modelling incorporating ductal and aortic layers, with parameters fitted to experimental data.
Main Results:
- Paediatric CoA samples exhibited significant variability in mechanical behaviour.
- Histology revealed distinct ductal and vessel tissues with differing microstructures (collagen, elastin, cell density).
- First-order Ogden models accurately captured the experimental and computational behaviour of individual tissue components.
Conclusions:
- Uniaxial ring testing and histology provided preliminary biomechanical data for paediatric CoA.
- Fitted material parameters offer a foundation for future computational modelling of CoA tissue behaviour.
Purpose:
The tissue mechanics resulting in coarctation of the aorta (CoA) remain poorly understood, limiting treatment options, particularly in paediatric patients. Endovascular stenting is the standard of care in adolescents and adults; however current devices are largely used off-label and do not account for the biomechanics or microstructure of the coarcted tissue. This study addresses this knowledge gap by combining uniaxial ring testing, histological assessment and finite element modelling of paediatric aortic coarctation samples to quantify its mechanical behaviour and layer-specific material parameters.
Methods:
Aortic coarctation samples were obtained from paediatric patients and analysed using uniaxial ring testing and histology to characterise the tissue's mechanical response and the influence of microstructure. Finite element models were then developed to represent the ductal and aortic layers, and uniaxial ring tests were simulated with material parameters fitted to the experimental data.
Results:
Uniaxial ring testing of paediatric aortic coarctation samples revealed marked variability in mechanical behaviour. Histological analysis identified two distinct tissue components-ductal and vessel tissue-with qualitative microstructural differences in collagen and elastin, as well as cellular density and morphology. For the first time, material parameters for the individual tissue components were quantified, with first-order Ogden models shown to best capture the experimental and computational behaviour.
Conclusion:
Uniaxial ring testing and histological analysis were used to assess paediatric aortic coarctation samples and to establish fitted material parameters to the experimental data. Quantifying both the combined mechanical response provides preliminary biomechanical data that may be useful for future computational modelling studies investigating aortic coarctation tissue behaviour.
