Vascular Mechanics

Abstract

The sections in this article are: 1 Behavior of Arteries in Vivo 2 Circumferential Properties of Arteries 2.1 Relaxed Arteries 2.2 Contracted Arteries 2.2.1 Active Constriction 2.2.2 Critical Closure 2.2.3 Isometric Contraction 2.2.4 Series-Elastic Component 2.2.5 Resistance to Distension 2.2.6 Dynamic Elastic Properties 2.2.7 Tone and Viscoelastic Behavior 3 Longitudinal Properties of Arteries 3.1 Elastic Characteristics 3.2 Intimal Shear Stresses 4 Radial Properties of Arteries 4.1 Elastic Characteristics 4.2 Mechanics and Wall Nutrition 5 Special Aspects of Vascular Mechanics 5.1 Baroreceptors 5.1.1 Direction of Stimulus 5.1.2 Sense of Stimulus 5.1.3 Strain Versus Stress as Stimulus 5.1.4 Role of Vascular Muscle 5.1.5 Resetting of Baroreceptors 5.2 Arteries of Hypertensive Subjects 5.2.1 Wall Thickening 5.2.2 Passive-Stiffness Change 5.2.3 Active Vascular Muscle Contractility 5.2.4 Smooth Muscle Sensitivity 5.3 Atherosclerotic Arteries 6 Multidirectional Properties of Arteries 6.1 Analytic Assumptions 6.2 Incremental Analysis 6.3 Finite-Deformation Analysis