A novel approach for assessment of the mechanical properties of synthetic arterial grafts

R.L. ARMENTANO; L. CYMBERKNOP; F. MONTINI BALLARIN; G. BALAY; D. SUÁREZ; C. NEGREIRA; G.A ABRAHAM

Patras

Congreso; 19th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics ESB2013.; 2013

European Society of Biomechanics

Simultaneous measurement of pressure and diameter of blood vessels and/or synthetic arterial grafts in cardiovascular simulators is of great importance in cardiovascular research. These studies allow the possibility of submitting the samples to controlled experimental conditions [Bia, 2009]. Knowledge of diameter changes in response to intravascular pressure waveforms determines the basis to estimate biomechanical properties of vessel?s wall. The success of a vascular graft lies, among other things, in manifesting values of internal diameter and mechanical properties which are comparable to the native arteries. Eelectrospinning of polymeric solutions allows the production of biomimetic nanofibrous structures with extracellular matrix morphology concomitantly with the adjustment of the mentioned parameters. Its mechanical evaluation requires an in vitro approach, which allows a precise and adequate estimation of the diameter dynamics, without disturbing the vessel itself