The impact of development of atherosclerosis on delamination resistance of the thoracic aortic wall

Marta Kozuń; Magdalena Kobielarz; Agnieszka Chwiłkowska; Celina Pezowicz

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.01.009

The impact of development of atherosclerosis on delamination resistance of the thoracic aortic wall

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2018 Mar:79:292-300. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.01.009. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Authors

Marta Kozuń¹, Magdalena Kobielarz², Agnieszka Chwiłkowska³, Celina Pezowicz⁴

Affiliations

¹ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics and Theory of Mechanism, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: marta.kozun@pwr.edu.pl.
² Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics and Theory of Mechanism, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: magdalena.kobielarz@pwr.edu.pl.
³ Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Chalubinskiego 10, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.chwilkowska@umed.wroc.pl.
⁴ Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mechatronics and Theory of Mechanism, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-371 Wroclaw, Poland. Electronic address: celina.pezowicz@pwr.edu.pl.

PMID: 29353772
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.01.009

Abstract

The aim of this work is to determine the impact of development of atherosclerosis on dissection of the human thoracic aorta on the basis of an analysis of the mechanical properties of the interfaces between its layers. The research material consisted of 17 pathologically unchanged aortae and 74 blood vessels with atherosclerotic lesions, which were classified according to the histological classification by Stary. The subject of the analysis were the interfaces between the adventitia and the media-intima complex (A-MIC) and between the intima and the media-adventitia complex (I-MAC). The mechanical properties of the above interfaces were determined by the peeling test in the longitudinal and circumferential directions. The results indicate that development of atherosclerosis reduces vessel wall resistance to delamination. The greatest risk of dissection occurs at stage IV of the disease. In this case, energy values are lower by about 28% for the I-MAC interface and by 39% for the A-MIC interface compared with normal tissues. Lower values of mean force and energy were obtained for the I-MAC interface, indicating that this interface is more susceptible to delamination. The mechanical properties of the A-MIC interfaces are directional.

Keywords: Human arterial wall; Mechanical properties; Peeling test; Soft; Thoracic artery; Tissue.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aorta, Thoracic / physiopathology*
Atherosclerosis / physiopathology*
Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
Humans
Stress, Mechanical
Tunica Intima / physiopathology*
Vascular Resistance / physiology*