In-vitro measurement of the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic arleries before and after angioplasty

Knowledge of the influence of percutaneous transluminal (coronary) angioplasty on the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic arteries is scarce. We performed experiments to determine the elasticity, viscosity and minimal diameter of arteries before and after angioplasty. Our results show significant changes in elasticity and viscosity of arterial segments, but show that minimal arterial diameter remains unchanged. This suggests that the effect of angioplasty is not primarily caused by change in arterial diameter, but is generated by a change in arterial elasticity as well as viscosit