A theoretical model using mechanical principles to quantify the physical principles of balloon dilatation.
OBJECTIVE
Balloon dilatation is a mechanical form of controlled injury used to alleviate vascular stenoses. Several factors influence successful angioplasty. Few mechanical models exist to illustrate the physical principles of balloon dilatation.


METHODS
We used mechanical analysis of membrane stresses, along with Laplace's law, to determine a relation between balloon inflation and dilating pressures exerted by balloons in stenoses of varying severity, length, and eccentricity. The balloons were assumed to be perfectly inelastic and flexible. We also examined the resultant stresses in the lesion wall of concentric and eccentric stenoses from exertion of dilating pressures.


RESULTS
Dilating pressures depend directly on maximal balloon inflation pressure and balloon diameter. Short, focal stenoses experience greater dilating pressures, which often are several multiples of the inflation pressure, than similarly narrowed longer lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Dilating pressures depend on inflation pressure, balloon diameter, and lesion severity.
Kinney
T B
TB
Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego Medical Center 92103, USA.
Lee
M J
MJ
Mueller
P R
PR
Waltman
A C
AC
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002404:Catheterization; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011312:Pressure