Mechanics of the large artery vascular wall.
The mechanics of large artery walls make a large contribution to the transmission toward regional vascular beds of energy generated by the left ventricle. It has been established that abnormal stiffness of the aorta and large conduit arteries is responsible in the short term for left ventricular overload followed by left ventricular hypertrophy. Radial and axial stresses imposed on vessel walls are defined in this review article. Mechanical parameters that can be measured in vivo and in vitro are described and compared; they include compliance, distensibility, elasticity modulus, impedance, and pulse wave velocity.
Levy
B I
BI
INSERM U141, Hôpital Lariboissière, Paris, France.
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004548:Elasticity; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*