1

Biomechanics of Blood Vessels

Prof.dr. Mirko A. Rosi}
The cardiovascular system is composed of:
-pump (the heart)
-a series of distributing and collecting
tubes (blood vessels)
-an extensive systems of thin vessels that
permit rapid exchange (molecular transport)
between the tissues and vascular channels
(capillaries)
Blood from vena cava, entering the right ventricle via the right atrium is pumped through the pulmonary
arterial system. The blood than passes through the lung capillaries. The oxygen-reach blood returns via the
pulmonary veins to the left atrium, where it is pumped from the ventricle to the periphery, thus completing
the cycle.
2
The heart as a pump actually consists of two
pumps in series:
-one pump propels blood through the lungs for
exchange of O
2
and CO
2
(the pulmonary
circulation)
-the other pump propels the blood to all other
tissues of the body (systemic circulation)
The flow of blood through the heart is
unidirectional achieved by the appropriate
arrangement of flap valves.
Although the cardiac output is intermittent, continuous flow to the body tissues occurs by distention
of the aorta and its branches during ventricular contraction (systole), and by elastic recoil of the
walls of the large arteries with forward propulsion of the blood during ventricular relaxation (diastole).
Blood moves rapidly through the aorta and its branches, which narrow and their walls become thinner as they
approach the periphery.
The aorta is predominantly elastic structure, but the peripheral arteries become more muscular until at the
arterioles muscular layer predominates.
3
In the large arteries frictional resistance is relatively small and pressure are only slightly less than in the aorta.
The small arteries offer moderate resistance to blood flow. This resistance reaches a maximal level in the
arterioles, which are sometimes referred to as stopcocks of the vascular system
The pressure drop is greatest across the terminal segment of the small arteries and arterioles.
Adjustment in the degree of contraction of the circular muscle of these small vessel permits regulation of tissue
blood flow and aids in the control of arterial blood pressure.
In addition to the reduction in pressure along the arterioles, there is a change from a pulsatile to a steady flow
The pulsatile arterial blood flow caused
by the intermitent ejection of blood from
the heart, is damped at the capillary
level by a combination of two factors:
- distensibility of the large
arteries
-frictional resistance in the
small arteries and arterioles
Hiperthyroidism Graves disease elevated basal metabolism associated with arteriolar vasodilatation -
reduction in arteriolar resistance diminishes the damping effect on the pulsatile pressure and is manifested as
pulsatile flow in the capilaries, as observed in the finger nailbed of patients with this ailment
4
In the large arteries frictional resistance is relatively small and pressure are only slightly less than in the aorta.
The small arteries offer moderate resistance to blood flow. This resistance reaches a maximal level in the
arterioles, which are sometimes referred to as stopcocks of the vascular system
The pressure drop is greatest across the terminal segment of the small arteries and arterioles.
Adjustment in the degree of contraction of the circular muscle of these small vessel permits regulation of tissue
blood flow and aids in the control of arterial blood pressure.
Many capillaries arise from each arteriole. The total cross-sectional area of the capillary bed is very large,
despite the fact that the cross-sectional area of each individual capillary is much less than that of arteriole.
As a result, blood flow velocity becomes quite slow in the capillaries, analogous to the decrease in velocity
of flow in the wide regions of a river.
Because capillaries consist of short tubules
with walls that are only one cell thick and
because flow velocity is low, conditions in
capillaries are ideal for the exchange of
diffusible substances molecular transport
between blood and tissue.
Note that the velocity of blood flow and the cross-sectional area at each level of the
vasculature are essentially mirror images
5
Between the aorta and the capillaries the number of vessels increases about 3 billion-fold, and the total
cross-sectional areas increases about 500-fold.
The volume of blood in the systemic circulation is greatest in the veins 67%. In contrast, blood volume in
the pulmonary vascular bed is abot equally divided among the arterial, capillary and venous vessels.
The cross-sectional area of the venae cavae is larger than that of the aorta. Therefore, the velocity of flow is
slower in the venae cavae than that in the aorta
In the normal intact circulation the total volume of
blood is constant, and an increase in the volume of
blood in one area must be accompained by a decrease
in another.
However, the distribution of the circulating blood to
the different regions of the body is determined by the
the cardiac output and by the contractile state of the
blood vessels of these regions.
The circulatory system is composed of conduits
arranged in series and in parallel. This arrangement
has important implications in terms of RESISTANCE
FLOWand PRESSUREin the blood vessels
6
The definition of precise mathematical terms for the pulsatile blood flow through the cardiovascular
system is fraught with problems:
- the heart is complicated pump and many physical and chemical factors affect its behavior
- the blood vessels are multibranched, and their elasticity and various regulatory mechanisms
allows continuous variation in their dimensions.
- the blood itself is not a simple, homogeneous solution but insted a complex suspension of
cells, platelets and lipid globules dispersed in a colloidal solution of proteins.
7
Despite complexity it is possible to gain insight into the dynamics of the cardiovascular system
by applying the elementary principles of fluid mechanics as they pertain to simple hydraulic system
Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille
1799-1869
Georg Ohm
1789-1854
Isaac Newton
1643-1727
8
velocity sometimes called linear velocity refers to the rate of displacement of fluid with respect to
time and it is expressed in units of distance per unit of time ( cm/sec )
In a tube with varying cross-sectional dimensions, velocity V, flow Q and cross-sectional area A are
related by equation:
V = Q / A
For any given flow, the ratio of the velocity depends only on the inverse ratio of the respective areas that is:
Va / Vb = Ab / Aa
Q = 10 ml/sec
in sections a, b and c
V = Q / A
Velocity of blood flow and the cross-sectional area at each level of the vasculature are
essentially mirror images
9
In the specific portion of a hydraulic system in which the total energy remains virtually constant, changes
in velocity may be accompanied by appreciable changes in measured pressure.
Pressure probe insert tangentially (P2,4,6) to the direction of flow lateral or static pressure (Ps),
if the opening of the probes face upstream total pressure =Ps + Pd (P1,3,5) where Pd = dynamic pressure
component that is affected by the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid and may be calculated from the equation:
Pd = qV
2
/ 2
q = density of the fluid
If the midpoint of segments A,B, and C are at he same hydrostatic level, ten the corresponding total pressure
(P1,P3,and P5) will be equal.
Because of differences in cross-sectional area along the system, the concomitant velocity changes alter the Pd
Two general conclusions:
1. As velocity decreases, the dynamic component (which is affected by the kinetic energy of
the flowing fluid) becomes a less significant component of the total pressure.
2. In narrowed section of a tube, the dynamic component (Pd) increases significantly,
because the flow velocity is associated with a large kinetic energy.
10
The peak velocity of flow in the ascending aorta is about (150cm/sec). Because the Pd is significant factor
of Ptot, the measured pressure may vary significantly, depending on he orientation of he pressure probe.
In the descending aorta the peak velocity is substantially less than that in the ascending aorta and even
lesser velocity have been recorded in still more distal arterial sites.
In most arterial locations, the Pd will be a negligible fraction of the Ptot, and the orientation of the probe
will not significantly influence the measured pressure.
At the site of constriction, high flow velocity is associated with a large kinetic energy, and therefore
the Pd may increase significantly. Hence, the Ps would be reduced correspondingly.
Two pressure transducers inserted into the left heart of a patient with aortic stenosis. The transdicers were
located on the same catheter and were 5 cm apart.
A. When booth transducers were well within the left ventricle they both recorded the same pressure.
11
B. When the proximal transducer was positioned in the aortic valve orifice, the Ps recorded during ejection
was much less than that recorded by transducer in the ventricular cavity (much greater V in the narrowed
valve orifice conversion some potential energy to kinetic energy)
C. When proximal transducer was in the aorta he pressure difference was even more pronounced
because substantial energy was lost through friction (viscosity) as blood flowed eapidly through the
narrow orifice
The reduction of Ps in the region of the narrowed aortic valve orifice may influence the coronary blood flow in
patients with aortic stenosis. The intial segments of coronary blood vessels are thus oriented at right angles to
the direction of blood flow through the aortic valves. Therefore the Ps is that component of Ptot that propels the
blood through the two major coronary arteries.
Durin the ejection phase of the cardiac cycle the Ps is diminished by the conversion of potential energy to
kinetic energy.
The pronounced drop in Ps during cardiac ejection may contribute to the tendency for patients with
severe aortic stenosis to experience angina pectoris which can lead to sudden death !!!
12
The most fundamental low that governs the flow of fluids through cylindrical tubes was derived
empirically by Poiseuille.
This low applies only to steady, laminar flow of newtonian fluids through cylindrical tubes
steady flow = absence of variations of flow in time
(i.e., a nonpulsatile flow)
laminar flow is he type of motion in which the fluid
moves as a series of individual layers, with each lauer
moving at a different velocity from its neighboring leyers.
At the most basic level, Poiseuilles law describes the flow
of fluids through cylindrical tubes in terms of flow, pressure
the dimension of the tube and viscosity of liquid in the tube.
The flow (Q) of fluid through a tube connecting two reservoirs R
1
and R
2
is proportional to the
difference between the pressure, Pi at the inflow end and the pressure Po at the outflow end of the tube
13
The flow (Q), of the fluid through a tube is inversely proportional to the length (l) and viscosity ( ) and
is directly proportional to the fourth power of the radius (r)

Viscosity has been defined by Newton as the ratio of shear stress to the shear rate of the fluid
The bottom plate (the bottom of a large basin) is stationary, and the upper plate moves along the upper
surface of fluid.
The shear stress is defined as the ratio of F to A (F is the force applied to the upper plate in the direction of
its motion along the upper surface of the fluid and A is the area of the upper plate that is in contact with the
fluid)
The shear rate is du/dy where u is the velocity of a minute fluid element in the direction parallel to the
motion of that fluid element above the bottom stationary plate, and y is the distance of that fluid element
above the bottom stationary plate.
For a plate that travels with constant velocity U across the surface of homogenous fluid, the velocity
profile of the fluid will be linear. The fluid layer in contact with the upper plate will adhere to it and therefore
will move at the same velocity as the plate.
Each minute element of fluid between the plates will move at a velocity u that is proportional to its
distance y from the lower plate. Therefore the shear rate will be U/Y
1 dyn sec / cm
2
= 1 poise
14
In summary, for the steady, laminar flow of a newtonian fluid through cylindrical tube, the flow (Q)
varies directly as the pressure difference (Pi-Po) and the fourth power of the radius (r) of the tube,
and it varies inversely as the length of the tube and viscosity ( ) of the fluid. Thus the full
statement of Poiseuilles law is:

where /8 is the constant of proportionality
In electrical theory. Ohms law states that the resistance (R), equals the ratio of voltage drop (E) to
current flow (J). Similarly, in fluid mechanics, the hydraulic resistance (R), may be defined as the
ratio of pressure drop (Pi-Po) to flow (Q).
For the steady, laminar flow of a newtonian fluid through cylindrical tube, the physical components of
hydraulic resistance may be appreciated by rearranging Poiseuilles law to give the hydraulic resistance
equation:
Thus, when Poiseuilles law applies, the resistance to flow depends only on the dimensions of the tube
and on characteristics of the fluid.
Because resistance varies inversely as the fourth power of the radius of the tube, the principal determinant
of the resistance to blood flow through any individual vessel within the circulatory system is the caliber
of the vessel. Even small changes in radius alter resistance greatly.
The most important factor that leads to a change in vessel caliber is the contraction of the circular smooth
muscle cells in the vessel wall.
15
The resistance per unit length of vessel ploted against the vessel diameter
The resistance is highest in the capillaries (diameter 7m) and it diminishes as the vessels increase in
diameter on the arterial and venous sides of the capillaries.
Nevertheless, it is the arterioles, not capillaries, that have the greatest resistance of all the different varieties
of blood vessels that lie in series with one another (there are fare more capillaries than arterioles, and total
resistance across the many capillaries is much less than total resistance across the fewer arterioles). The
resistance in single capillary is much greater than that in single arteriole.
Furthermore, arterioles have a tick coat of circulatory arranged smooth muscle fibers, which can vary the
lumen radius
The capillaries throughout the body are in most instance parallel elements, except for the renal vasculature
(in which the peritubular capillaries are in series with the glomerular capillaries) and the splanhnic
vasculature (in which the intestinal and hepatic capillaries are aligned in series with each other)
The pressure drop across the entire system (Pi-Po), consist of the sum of the pressure drops across each of the
individual resistance
The flow (Q) throufh any given cross-section must equal the flow through any other cross-section
The hydraulic resistance (R1,R2 and R3) arranged in series
It is evident that (from the definition of resistance) for rsistance in series, the total resistance (Rt) of
entire system equals the sum of the individual resistance
16
The hydraulic resistance (R1,R2 and R3) arranged in parallel
For resistance in parallel, the Pi and Po are the same for all tubes. The total flow (Qt) equals the sum of the
flows through the individual parallel element
For resistance in parallel the reciprocal of the Rt equals the sume of the reciprocals of the individual
resistance
A simpler way of stating this relation is to use the term CONDUCTANSE (which can be defined as the
reciprocal of resistance.
For tubes in parallel, the total conductance is the sum of the individual conductance's.
R1=R2=R3
1/Rt=3/R1
Rt = R1/3
The Rt must be less
than that of any
The fluid elements in any given lamina remain in that
lamina as the fluid progresses along the tube.
The velocity at the centre of the stream is maximal,
the longitudinal velocity profile is that of a paraboloid
In turbulent flow the elements of the fluid move
irregularly in axial, radial, and circumferential
directions. Vortices frequently develop.
Whether turbulent or laminar flow will exist in a tube may be predicted on the basis of a dimensionless number
called Reynolds number (Nr).
q = density of the fluid; D = the tube diameter; v = mean velocity; = viscosity
>2000 laminar flow < 3000 turbulent flow

17
When turbulent flow exist within the cardiovascular system
it may be detected during a physical examination as murmur
In severe anemia, functional murmurs (not caused by structural
abnormalities) are frequently detectable (reduced viscosity
and increased velocity high cardiac output)
Thrombi are much more likely to develop in turbulent flow
(valvular heart disease, artificial valves). The thrombi may be
dislodged and occlude a crucial blood vessels.
A considerably greater pressure is required to force a given flow of fluid through the same tube when
the flow is turbulent than when it is laminar. Hence, to produce a given flow, a pump such as the heart
must do considerably more work if turbulence develops.
An external force was applied to a plate floating
on the surface of a liquid in a large basin
= (du/dy)

Shear stress equals the product of the viscosity
and shear rate
Hence, the greater the rate of flow, the greater
is the shear stress (i.e., the viscous drag) that
the liquid exerts on the walls of the container in
which it flows.
For the precisely the same reasons, the rapidly
flowing blood in a large artery tends to pull the
endothelial lining of the artery along with it. This
force, the viscous drag, is proportional to the
shear rate of the layers of blood near the wall
In patients with hypertension, the subentothelial layers of vessels tend to degenerate locally, and small
regions of the endothelium may lose their normal support. The viscous drag on the arterial wall may cause
a tear between a normal supported and an unsupported region of endothelial lining. (dissecting aneurysm)
It occurs most often in the proximal portions of the aorta (high velocity of blood flow).
The at the vessels wall also influences many other functions:
- permeability of the vascular walls to large molecules
- biosynthetic activity of the endothelial cells
- integrity of the formed elements in the blood
- coagulation of the blood
An increase in shear stress is also an effective stimulus for the release of NO from the vascular endothelial
cells; NO is a very potent vasodilatator.
18
The various endothelial and non-endothelial factors may directly or indirectly cause vasodilatation.
The crescent-shaped thickenings proximal to the
capillary beds represent the arterioles
Shematic diagram of the vessels composing
the circulatory system
The arterioles, the terminal components of arterial
systems, are high-resistance vessels that regulate the
distribution of flow to the various capillary beds.
Because of their elasticity, the aorta, the pulmonary
artery, and their major branches form a system of
channels capable of handling considerable volume.
These two features of the arterial systems its
elastic conduits and high resistance terminals are
also shared by fluid systems called hydraulic filters
which tend to dampen fluctuations in flow.
The main advantage of hydraulic filtering in the
arterial system is that it converts the intermittent
output of the heart to a steady flow through the
capillaries.
19
Because the heart pumps intermittently, the entire stroke volume is discharged into the arterial system
during systole.
During diastole, the elastic recoil of the arterial walls converts potential energy into capillary blood flow.
If the arterial walls were rigid, capillary flow would not occur during diastole.
Hydraulic filtering minimizes the workload of the heart. More work is required to pump a given flow
intermittently than steadily. The more effective the hydraulic filtering, the less work is required.
Relationships between pressure and flow for tree hydraulic systems in which the overall flow and
resistances are equal
20
Relationship between myocardial oxygen consumption and stroke volume in an anesthetized dog whose
cardiac output could be pumped by the left ventricle either through the aorta or through a stiff plastic
tube to the peripheral arteries.
The oxygen consumption reflect the energy expenditure in the body.
Rigid conduits in a hydraulic system create the need for more energy to pump fluid through the system.
Pressure-volume relationship for aortas
obtained at autopsy from human in
different age groups.
A good way to appreciate the elastic properties of
the arterial wall is to consider the static pressure
volume relationship for the aorta.
The aortic compliance at any point on the curve is
represented by the slope, dV/dP at that point.
As a people age, the pressure-volume curves of
their arterial system shift downward, and the
slopes of these curves diminish. Thus, for any
pressure above about 80 mmHg, the compliance
decreases with age.
This change in compliance is a manifestation of
the increased rigidity (atherosclerosis) of the
system caused by progressive changes in the
collagen and elastin contents of the arterial walls
21
Pulsatile changes in diameter, measured ultrasonically, in 22-year-old and 63-year-old man
The ultrasound imaging technique show that the increase in diameter of the aorta produced by
each cardiac contraction is much less in elderly persons than in young persons
Effects of age on the elastic modulus (Ep) of the
abdominal aorta in agroup of 61 human subjects
where P is the aortic pulse pressure (i.e., the change in aortic pressure during a cardiac cycle);
D is the mean aortic diameter and D is the maximal change in aortic diameter during the cardiac cycle.
The fractional change in diameter ( D/D) of
the aorta during the cardiac cycle reflects the
change in aortic volume.
Thus Ep is inversely related to compliance,
which is the ratio of V to P.
Consequently, the increase in elastic modulus
and decrease in compliance both reflect the
stiffening of the arterial walls.
Elastic modulus
22
Mirko Rosic, Suzana Pantovic, Vladimir Rankovic,
Zdravko Obradovic, Nenad Filipovic, Milos Kojic
EVALUATION OF DYNAMIC RESPONSE
AND BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF
ISOLATED BLOOD VESSELS
J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods 70 (2008) 966-972
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the System for Biomechanical and Functional
Tissue Investigations (1. perfusion fluid; 2. peristaltic pump; 3. AD converter and
amplifier; 4. organ bath; 5. metal tube or blood vessel; 6. transducer; 7. water bath;
8. oxygen bottle; 9. PC; 10. Camera;11. Two-way tap and H0 and H1, hydrostatic
levels.)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
23
( )

=
2
1
1
b x
y b e
b
1
has units of pressure, and
b
2
has units of time
-1
Figure 2. A: The pressure-time relation.
T= 1/ b
2
For t=5T (t=time) we consider that the
plateau is reached, because in this case:

=
/ 5
0
t T
e e
1
y b , and
Experimentally recorded dependence of pressure on time was fitted
using an exponential mathematical function:
Pressure-time relations
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To define dynamic properties of the blood vessels, we introduced a
parameter of the comparative pressure dynamics (Pd). This parameter is
defined as the integral of the difference between two fitted curves,
normalized with respect to the applied hydrostatic pressure (H):
( ) ( )
{ }

( (
=
( (

1 1
0
2 2
1
1 1
d
b a
b x b x
P b e b e dx
H
b
2a
is the coefficient of the first curve (control curve) and b
2b
is the
coefficient of the second curve (test curve).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
24
The calculated Pd is the area
between the test and control
curves (figure right).
Positive value of Pd indicates
the shift of the test curve to the
left and faster development of
maximal pressure (alternate
steady state).
Negative value of the Pd
shows the shift of the test
curve to the right and slower
development of maximal
pressure.
The solution of previous equation is:

2 2 1
2 2
b a
d
a b
b b b
P
H b b
Figure 2. B: Three exponential curves and the
corresponding positive (Pd
+
) and negative (Pd
-
)
values of the parameter Pd.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimentally recorded dependence of blood vessel diameter on time was
fitted using an exponential mathematical function:
( )

=
2
1
1
b x
y b e
Diameter-time relations
MATERIALS AND METHODS
b
1
has units of diameter, and
b
2
has units of time
-1
25

2 2 1
2 2
b a
k
a b
b b b
D
D b b
Positive values of Dk indicate faster development of maximal diameter (alternate steady state), while
negative values indicate slower development of maximal diameter.
The parameter of comparative distensibility Dk
( ) ( )
{ }

( (
=
( (

1 1
0 0
2 2
1
1 1
k
b a
b x b x
D b e b e dx
D
b
2a
is the coefficient of the first curve (control curve) and b
2b
is the coefficient of the second
curve (test curve).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Stress strain relation

=
t
t t
t
R
P

t
t
P
t
R

t
is stress [kPa]
is pressure
is blood vessel radius
is blood vessel wall thickness

=
0
0
mt m
t
m
R R
R

t
mt
R
0 m
R
is circular strain
is blood vessel mean radius
is blood vessel mean radius at the time zero (original mean radius);
and the right lower index t indicates the values at time t.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
26
Assuming that the blood vessel wall is incompressible, we can determine the wall thickness for the
current mean radius
mt
R

| |
=
|
\
2
0
t mt mt
V
R R
L
where L - length of the isolated blood vessel and
V
0
is the original volume of the blood vessel wall
( )
=
0 0 0 0 0
V R L
with the lower index 0 indicating the original values
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Shear stress evaluation
The wall shear stress (in kPa) can also be calculated, from the following
equation:

=
3
4
t
t
Q
R

t
R
where is shear stress (in kPa)
is viscosity in poise
Is radius (in cm)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Q is flow in ml/s
27
Rat, A.abdominalis b
1
b
2
5T
KRS (Krebs-Ringer solution)
62.36 0.22
3.03 0.35 1.66 0.109
KRS+L-arginine (1mM)
62.54 0.26
3.16 0.426 1.58 0.13
KRS+L-arginine (10mM)
61.37 0.61
3.36 0.08 1.49 0.017
KRS+L-arginine (20mM)
62.19 0.31
4.2 0.122
*
1.19 0.017
*
Table 1. Effects of increasing molar concentration of L-arginine in rat abdominal
aorta on b1 and b2 coefficients; and on time (s) within which the maximal pressure
is developed (taken as 5T). Values are represented as mean S.E.M. Asterisk (*)
represent significantly different value. (One-way analysis of variance, p<0.01)
RESULTS
Abdominal aorta of the rat Pd
KRS+L-arginine (1mM) / KRS 0.014 0.001
*
KRS+L-arginine (10mM) / KRS 0.032 0.001
*
KRS+L-arginine (20mM) / KRS 0.092 0.004
*
Table 2. Effect of increasing molar concentration of L-arginine in rat abdominal
aorta on the parameter of comparative pressure dynamics (Pd). Values are
represented as mean S.E.M. Asterisk (*) represent significantly different value.
(One-way analysis of variance, p<0.01)
RESULTS
28
Abdominal aorta of the
rat
b
1
b
2
5T
KRS 2.230.0005 6.340.2
*
0.7890.03
*
KRS+L-arginine (10mM) 2.220.029 5.30.32
*
0.9430.056
*
Table 3. Effects of L-arginine (10mM) in rat abdominal aorta on b1 and b2
coefficients, and on time (s) within which the maximal diameter is developed
(taken as 5T). Values are represented as mean S.E.M. Asterisk (*) represent
significantly different value. (Students t test, p<0.05)
RESULTS
Figure 3. Stress / Strain curves in the presence of L-arginine (10mM) and in the
absence of L-arginine. *Significantly different from the stress value under control
conditions; P<0.05. The coefficients of correlation are marked as R2. Dots
represent experimental results and curves are obtained by polynomial functions.
RESULTS
29
Figure 4. Shear stress/Strain curves in the presence of L-arginine (10mM) and in the
absence of L-arginine. *Significantly different from the shear stress value under control
conditions; P<0.05. The coefficients of correlation are marked as R2. Dots represent
experimental results and curves are obtained by polynomial functions.
RESULTS
In summary, our results demonstrate the influence of the test drug (L-
arginine) on dynamic responses and biomechanical properties of the
isolated blood vessel.
First of all, in the presence of the test drug some relaxation (increase in
diameter) of blood vessel occurs, development of pressure is faster after
hydrostatic pressure was applied, while, at the same time, change in
blood vessel diameter is slower.
Although L-arginine relaxes smooth muscle in the blood vessel wall, the
wall becomes more rigid when the hydrostatic pressure was applied.
Furthermore, after the hydrostatic pressure was applied, the shear stress
in the presence of the test drug approaches the values of the shear
stress in the absence of the test drug, besides the fact that the test drug
itself initially increased the blood vessel diameter.
30
I hope he was not
boring too much !