Rheological properties of large arteries

Abstract

Rheological properties of thoracic aorta in vitro have been studied by subjecting tissue samples to incremental loading and unloading using a specially developed biaxial loading apparatus. It was found that the rheological behaviour under loading is significantly different from that under unloading. Results indicate that below a threshold value of a nonlinear strain, the material does not display any time-dependent response. The observed behavior has been attributed to the microstructural makeup of the aortic wall.<>