Effect of Aneurysm and Bicuspid Aortic Valve on Layer-Specific Ascending Aorta Mechanics.

Background: Previous studies have not examined the participation of intimal, medial, and adventitial layers in providing mechanical strength to the ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) wall compared with the nonaneurysmal aorta. In this study we compared the mechanical properties of intact wall and its layers among ATAAs and nonaneurysmal aortas, with explicit consideration of the effects of valve morphology; that is, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) versus tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), and aortic quadrant.

Methods: Whole ATAAs were taken from patients undergoing elective repair and nonaneurysmal aortas from age-matched autopsy subjects.