The elasticity of canine and human coronary arteries with reference to postmortem changes.

We did this study to provide data on the elastic properties of coronary arteries, such being essential when considering the role of mechanical factors in coronary heart disease. In view of the necessity of using postmortem material to study human arteries, we made a preliminary study on the elasticity changes of a muscular artery (the femoral) after excision and cold storage. Dynamic (Ed^) and static (E*u) incremental, elastic moduli of all arteries were calculated from simultaneously recorded pressure and diameter traces, the latter, in most instances, being obtained with an existing electrical caliper. A new, light-weight, strain-gauge caliper was developed to allow direct diameter records to be obtained from the left circumflex coronary artery (LCCA) on the beating canine heart. After excision and overnight cold storage, respectively, the canine femoral artery showed increases in diameter (9.2 and 11.6%), E^,, (77 and 173%), and E<irn (46 and 99%). It is likely that these changes are applicable to the coronary arteries in view of the similarities in their medial structure. Ejyn for the canine LCCA was 1.23 ± 0.12 N.m~* x 10* and was in excellent agreement with published data for femoral and carotid arteries. The mean and SBM values of E*«t and Ejy. for six excised, human coronary arteries (subjects 14-40 years of age) were 2.31 ± 0.49 and 4.46 ± 1.21 (SEM) N.m~* x 10', respectively; these are higher in comparison to the above in vivo data but agree with published values from other excised human vessels. On the basis of the above reported postmortem increases in elasticity, it is concluded that human coronary and femoral arteries probably have similar elastic properties, i.e., Edy, 1.2 N.m" x 10*. Ore Res 45: 588-594, 1979