Biomechanical relevance of the microstructure in artery walls with a focus on passive and active components

Holzapfel, G. A. and Ogden, R. W. (2018) Biomechanical relevance of the microstructure in artery walls with a focus on passive and active components. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 315(3), H540-H549. (doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00117.2018) (PMID:29799274)

Abstract

The microstructure of arteries, consisting, in particular, of collagen, elastin and vascular smooth muscle cells, plays a very significant role in their biomechanical response during a cardiac cycle. In this paper we highlight the microstructure and the contributions of each of its components to the overall mechanical behavior. We also describe the changes of the microstructure which occur as a result of abdominal aortic aneurysms and disease such as atherosclerosis. We also focus on how the passive and active constituents are incorporated into a mathematical model without going into detail of the mathematical formulation. We conclude by mentioning open problems towards a better characterization of the biomechanical aspects of arteries that will be beneficial for a better understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ogden, Professor Raymond and Holzapfel, Professor Gerhard
• Authors: Holzapfel, G. A., and Ogden, R. W.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
• Journal Name: American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology
• Publisher: American Physiological Society
• ISSN: 0363-6135
• ISSN (Online): 1522-1539
• Published Online: 25 May 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 American Physiological Society
• First Published: First published in American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology 315(3): H540-H549
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy