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Vasoactivity of Blood Vessels Using a Novel Isovolumic Myograph

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Abstract

The vasoactivity of blood vessel is impaired by cardiovascular disease. The ex-vivo measurements of vasoactivity (wire and pressure myographs) have some inherent difficulties in the characterization of pharmacodynamics and biomechanics. Here, we introduce a novel isovolumic myograph which allows simultaneous measurement of both dynamic pressure and dimensional changes during vasoconstriction or vasodilation. The principle of the isovolumic myograph is based on the utility of a hydraulically closed system with low compliance such that contraction against an incompressible fluid increases the pressure with the closed system while dilation decreases it. We demonstrate the sensitivity and utility of the new technique by the response of elastic (carotid), muscular (femoral) arteries, and femoral veins. The results show characteristic dynamic pressure response for each vessel type. Furthermore, our results show a Hill-type equation for the tension–velocity relation for smooth muscles as well as characteristic curves for each contraction. These novel findings for blood vessels will advance our knowledge of endothelium and vascular smooth muscle mechanics and pharmacodynamics.

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Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the National Institute of Health-National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant 2 R01 HL055554-06.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA

    Xiao Lu & Ghassan S. Kassab

  2. Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Surgery, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Ghassan S. Kassab

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  1. Xiao Lu
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  2. Ghassan S. Kassab
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Correspondence to Ghassan S. Kassab.

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Lu, X., Kassab, G.S. Vasoactivity of Blood Vessels Using a Novel Isovolumic Myograph. Ann Biomed Eng 35, 356–366 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-006-9243-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-006-9243-0

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