Viscoelastic Mapping of the Arterial Ovine System using a Kelvin Model

The mechanics of the arterial wall is complex, due to its material structure and load conditions, which influence the hemodynamic properties as well as the growth and remodeling process of the cardiovascular system. Arterial remodeling can be found both locally and globally. Local remodeling is typically a result of disease, while global remodeling can be found even for healthy arteries. In this study we have analyzed how elastic and viscoelastic properties differ across 7 locations along the large ovine arteries in 11 sheep. We combined the Kelvin model with experimental measurements of vessel diameter and pressure obtained in-vitro at conditions mimicking the in-vivo dynamics. Elastic and viscoelastic wallproperties were assessed by analyzing values of four model parameters across the 7 locations. To do so we solved an inverse problem, resulting in computed estimates for each of the four parameter values that minimize the residual between the data and the model. We used sensitivity analysis to compute standard errors, and confidence intervals for all model parameters. Results showed that while elastic properties including Young’s modulus and the vessel wall thickness varied across locations (smaller arteries were stiffer than larger arteries) viscoelastic relaxation parameters did not differ significantly across locations. We also showed that for all locations, the inclusion of viscoelastic behavior, e.g., using the Kelvin model, is important to capture pressure-area dynamics.