Methodology to study intimal failure mechanics in human internal carotid arteries. J Biomech 2005 Dec;38(12):2491-6
Date
10/11/2005Pubmed ID
16214498DOI
10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.10.021Scopus ID
2-s2.0-26444571238 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 45 CitationsAbstract
While the incidence of blunt carotid artery injuries is low, the mortality rate is extremely high (40%). Clinical evidence indicates that the intimal region of the artery often sustains failure, while maintaining the integrity of the outer layers. This condition may lead to delayed ischemic symptoms, commonly reported in clinical literature. To date, the mechanical properties of the intima relative to the outer vessel layers have not been quantified in the human carotid artery. The purpose of the present study was to develop a methodology to determine the longitudinal mechanical properties of the human internal carotid artery in tension, with an emphasis on intimal failure. This was accomplished by opening the vessel at the mid-diameter level, creating an 'I'-shaped testing specimen, subjecting the specimen to failure loading, documenting the stretch characteristics of the intimal and adventitial sides in the temporal domain, and correlating the synchronized videography with mechanical loading. Intimal failure data were quantified using stress and strain parameters in conjunction with digital videography of the intimal and adventitial sides. The present methodology can be used to determine the mechanical properties of the intima relative to ultimate carotid artery failure. These data will assist in the understanding of blunt carotid artery injuries, its diagnosis and treatment.
Author List
Stemper BD, Yoganandan N, Pintar FAAuthors
Frank A. Pintar PhD Chair, Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of WisconsinBrian Stemper PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Narayan Yoganandan PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Biomechanical PhenomenaCadaver
Carotid Artery Injuries
Carotid Artery, Internal
Elasticity
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Male
Physical Stimulation
Stress, Mechanical
Tensile Strength
