The site of arterial wall rupture in transluminal angioplasty: an experimental study

The site of arterial rupture following arterial balloon dilatation was studied in postmortem canine arteries. An atherosclerotic plaque was simulated by insertion of a solid nylon ball. Longitudinal tears of intima and media were produced at the level of the nylon ball. The site of arterial rupture can therefore be predicted if localized changes of wall strength can be neglected. On the other hand, the site of arterial rupture in clinical cases will depend mainly on the consistency and tensile strength of the diseased artery.