Toward a method for biomechanical determination of aneurysm progression in mouse models.

摘要

Aortic aneurysm is a complex disease manifesting in a localized dilation of the aorta developing over years and carries with it a significant chance of rupture resulting in death. As only surgical methods are currently available for treatment, there is a need to understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease and how they develop and lead to expansion and rupture. Thus, the study of the formation and progression of aneurysm has also focused on quantifying any changes observed in fiber realignment and altered mechanical properties leading to vascular disease. Animal models of aneurismal disease can be useful for studying alterations during disease development (e.g., in the tissue's mechanical response). Recent efforts have been aimed at determining both the biomechanical alterations that occur with aneurysm formation and their potential for rupture. However, previous animal model work is lacking quantitative descriptions of how biomechanical response and vessel remodeling change with time and lead to the diseased state. Thus, there is a need for determining an appropriate animal model for aneurysm and developing an adequate method for quantifying and determining disease progression through alterations in biomechanical response.