IMPACT OF FORMALDEHYDE ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC CAROTID ARTERIES

Abstract

: Atherosclerosis is a life threatening cardiovascular disease causing lipoprotein accumulation within intima layer of artery wall and thus its thickening. Later stages are characterized by plaque formation with a lipid core separated from lumen by fibrous cap. In case of carotid arteries (CA), rupture of the plaque often results in a stroke. Detailed understanding of mechanical properties of atherosclerotic arteries and their components is essential for improvement of computer models used for prediction of plaque rupture. Samples of atherosclerotic CA from carotid endarterectomy were kept either in saline solution or in formaldehyde solution and then underwent uniaxial tensile testing in two directions. Statistical analysis of the obtained stress-strain responses shows that formaldehyde treatment of the tissue increases significantly the mean stiffness and reduces the dispersion.