VARIATION OF LOCAL ELASTICITY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE AORTA AS OBSERVED BY A SCANNING HAPTIC MICROSCOPE (SHM)

• Published in: International journal of artificial organs 2011-08, Vol.34 (8), p.661-661
• Main Authors: Moriwaki, T, Oie, T, Takamizawa, K, Murayama, Y, Fukuda, T, Omata, S, Kanda, K, Nakayama, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agar
• ISSN: 0391-3988

Objectives: Variations in microscopic elastic structures along the entire length of beagle aorta were evaluated using a scanning haptic microscope (SHM). Methods and Results: The total aorta from the aortic arch to the abdominal aorta was divided into 6 approximately equal segments. After embedding into agar, each segment was cut in circumferential cross-section to obtain disk-like samples with flat surfaces (thickness, approximately 1mm). The surface elasticity and topography of the samples under non-load and zero-stress conditions were simultaneously measured along essentially the entire wall thickness by SHM, using a probe with a diameter of 5 mu m and a spatial resolution of 2 mu m at a rate of 0.3s per point. Elasticity in the wall was the highest at the luminal surface side and decreased gradually toward the adventitial side. The tendency was similar to that of the change in the elastin fiber content. In the evaluation at the mid portion of each segment, the highest elasticity (40.8 [3.5] kPa) was identified at the thoracic section of the aorta that had the highest concentration of elastic fibers. Conclusions: Under non-load and zero-stress conditions, the elasticity of the aorta was determined by the elastic fiber content.