< Back to previous page

Publication

Ex-vivo inflation-extension tests show that age affects biomechanical properties of the equine arterial wall

Book Contribution - Book Abstract Conference Contribution

The reasons why older horses are predisposed to arterial rupture are still unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of age on the biomechanical properties of the proximal and distal aorta, common carotid artery and external iliac artery. Entire circular samples of 5-10 cm long were collected from 6 young (3-6 years) and 14 older horses (U+226515 years). Vessels were mounted in a custom-made water tank and gradually pressurised from 15 to 300mmHg. For each pressure point, longitudinal B-mode ultrasonographic images were collected for off-line measurement of arterial diameters. Rupture occurred in a minority of arteries (8.9%) at high pressures (200-300mmHg), and mostly occurred in older horses (85.7%). PressureU+2013diameter results were fitted to the arctangent model1 and pressure-area and pressure-compliance curves were constructed. Age significantly influenced the pressure-area curves of the distal aorta (p=0.04), common carotid artery (p<0.001) and external iliac artery (p<0.001). At same pressures, larger areas were found in old horses compared to young horses. Also the pressure-compliance curve of the proximal aorta was significantly influenced by age (p=0.015): maximal compliance was lower and occurred at lower pressure in old horses (16mm²/mmHg at 100mmHg) compared to young horses (18mm²/mmHg at 125mmHg) (Fig.1). No significant differences were found for distal aorta, common carotid artery and external iliac artery. These results demonstrate an age effect on the biomechanical properties of the arterial wall. These changes are likely to contribute to central as well as peripheral arterial rupture in older horses
Book: Proceedings of the 13th ECEIM Congress
Number of pages: 1
Publication year:2020
Accessibility:Closed