Assessment of the Local Biaxial Active Mechanical Properties of Pig Ascending Aorta

INTRODUCTION The complex hemodynamics of the left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) combined with the complex geometry of the ascending aorta (AA) produce a non-uniform shear stress distribution on the AA wall [1]. Endothelial cells are known to be sensitive to shear stress and can lead to vascular remodeling. We hypothesize that a non-uniform morphological adaptation occurs in the AA tissue leading to the change of the local mechanical properties. It is known that AA’s wall is composed of passive (elastin & collagen) and active elements (vascular smooth muscles cells, VSMCs). No data currently exists about local active mechanical properties assessment under biaxial testing. We therefore evaluated both the local passive and active mechanical properties of pig AA.