Evaluation of Possible Stress Distributions in Abdominal Aorta on the Basis of Physiologically Loading Data

Abstract

It is highly desired to establish a method of estimating the stress state and mechanical properties in blood vessels numerically using diagnosis data. To obtain the mechanical state, it is necessary to evaluate the reliability of results from numerical simulation. In the current study, we investigate the possibility of stress distribution in a circular cylindrical shape of vascular wall based on the pressure-diameter relationship in the physiological pressure range with assumptions of a hyperelastic material and no residual stress. As another case, we simulate wall stress in an axisymmetric vessel at a mean pressure level. Results form the former case show that one has many solutions which reproduce the pressure-diameter (p-d) relationship and that more information is required to determine the mechanical properties. Results form the latter case show that a pair of Laplace equation and force equilibrium in the axial direction provides a wall stress for an axisymmetric shape of vessel.