Use of regional mechanical properties of abdominal aortic aneurysms to advance finite element modeling of rupture risk.

Purpose: To investigate the use of regional variations in the mechanical properties of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in finite element (FE) modeling of AAA rupture risk, which has heretofore assumed homogeneous mechanical tissue properties.

Methods: Electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography scans from 3 male patients with known infrarenal AAA were used to characterize the behavior of the aneurysm in 4 different segments (posterior, anterior, and left and right lateral) at maximum diameter and above the infrarenal aorta. The elasticity of the aneurysm (circumferential cyclic strain, compliance, and the Hudetz incremental modulus) was calculated for each segment and the aneurysm as a whole.

In vivo feasibility case study for evaluating abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue properties and rupture potential using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a permanent and irreversible localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta. A reliable, non-invasive method to assess the wall mechanics of an aneurysm may provide additional information regarding their susceptibility to rupture. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is a phenomenon associated with the propagation of acoustic waves in attenuating media.

Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging on ex vivo abdominal aortic aneurysm model.

A method for reliable, noninvasive estimation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) wall mechanics may be a useful clinical tool for rupture prediction. An in vitro AAA model was developed from an excised porcine aorta with elastase treatment. The AAA model behaviour was analysed using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging techniques to generate and measure wave propagation in both aneurysmal and normal aortic tissue.