Mechanical Properties of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (ATAA): Association with Valve Morphology - Computer Models in Biomechanics - page 142

Chapter 11
Mechanical Properties of Ascending Thoracic
Aortic Aneurysm (ATAA): Association
with Valve Morphology

Salvatore Pasta, Julie A. Phillipi, Thomas G. Gleason, and David A. Vorp

Abstract Type A aortic dissection (AoD) of an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm
(ATAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with a high potential for
death. AoD represents a devastating separation of elastic aortic layers occurring
when the hemodynamic loads on the diseased wall exceed the adhesive strength
between layers. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the dissec-
tion properties of non-aneurysmal and aneurysmal human ascending thoracic aortas
from patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and normal tricuspid aortic valve
(TAV) morphologies using biomechanical delamination testing. Following complete
delamination of ATAA tissue samples, tensile tests were performed on each de-
laminated half for comparison of their tensile strengths. Results evinced that the
aneurysmal aortas with BAV and TAV have lower delamination properties than non-
aneurysmal aorta, and that ATAA with BAV has lower S d than TAV, suggesting an
apparent propensity of AoD.

11.1 Introduction

One of the most common lethal complications of an ascending thoracic aortic
aneurysm (ATAA) is the aortic dissection (AoD), causing significant mortality

S. Pasta
Fondazione RiMED, Palermo, Italy
e-mail: [e-mail]

·

J.A. Phillipi T.G. Gleason

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
J.A. Phillipi
e-mail: [e-mail]
T.G. Gleason
e-mail: [e-mail]

D.A. Vorp ( )

Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
e-mail: [e-mail]