Recently, we reported a novel ultrasound technique to assess biomechanical properties of the oesophagus in human subjects. In the present study, we use the technique, in combination with atropine, to determine the active and passive biomechanical properties of the oesophagus in normal healthy humans. A manometric catheter equipped with a high-compliance bag and a high-frequency intraluminal ultrasonography probe was used to record pressure and oesophageal geometry. Oesophageal distensions with either isovolumic (5–20 ml water) or with isobaric (10–60 mmHg) technique were performed. Intra-bag pressure and ultrasound images of the oesophagus were recorded simultaneously. Following injection of atropine (15 μg kg−1, i.v.), the oesophageal distensions were repeated. The oesophageal wall compliance, circumferential wall tension, stress, strain and elastic modulus were calculated. Atropine resulted in an increase in the oesophageal wall compliance during isobaric distension, but no change in compliance was observed during isovolumic distension. The stress–strain relationship was found to be linear during both types of distension, before as well as after atropine. The Young's modulus, which is the slope of a linear stress–strain relationship, was significantly higher after atropine in the isovolumic study but not in the isobaric study. The stress–strain relationship of the active component (muscle contraction) was different during isovolumic and isobaric distensions but the passive components were similar. The passive and active stress–strain relationships of the human oesophagus resemble those of other soft biological tissues. Furthermore, the method of oesophageal distension has significant influence on the active but not the passive biomechanical properties due to a strain-rate effect.
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