Intra-Operative Video-Based Measurement of Biaxial Strains of the Ascending Thoracic Aorta

Shaiv Parikh, Berta Ganizada, Gijs Debeij, Ehsan Natour, Jos Maessen, Bart Spronck, Leon Schurgers, Tammo Delhaas, Wouter Huberts, Elham Bidar, Koen Reesink*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Local biaxial deformation measurements are essential for the in-depth investigation of tissue properties and remodeling of the ascending thoracic aorta, particularly in aneurysm formation. Current clinical imaging modalities pose limitations around the resolution and tracking of anatomical markers. We evaluated a new intra-operative video-based method to assess local biaxial strains of the ascending thoracic aorta. In 30 patients undergoing open-chest surgery, we obtained repeated biaxial strain measurements, at low- and high-pressure conditions. Precision was very acceptable, with coefficients of variation for biaxial strains remaining below 20%. With our four-marker arrangement, we were able to detect significant local differences in the longitudinal strain as well as in circumferential strain. Overall, the magnitude of strains we obtained (range: 0.02-0.05) was in line with previous reports using other modalities. The proposed method enables the assessment of local aortic biaxial strains and may enable new, clinically informed mechanistic studies using biomechanical modeling as well as mechanobiological profiling.

Original languageEnglish
Article number670
Number of pages10
JournalBiomedicines
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • ABDOMINAL-AORTA
  • ANEURYSMS
  • ARTERIAL STIFFNESS
  • NATURAL-HISTORY
  • PREDICTION
  • RUPTURE
  • aortic aneurysm
  • image feature tracking
  • tissue deformation
  • vascular biomechanics and mechanobiology

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