Tissue Development, Repair, and Remodeling - Tissue Functioning and Remodeling in the Circulatory and Ventilatory Systems - page 742

A homogenized, constrained mixture theory is used to develop a 3D constitutive law
that takes into account the 3 primary load-bearing constituents (smooth myocyte,
collagen, and elastin) with time-varying mass fractions due to the turnover of cells
and extracellular matrix fibers during the wall remodeling under a varying stress
field. The turnover of constituent i is described by its total mass evolution, introduc-
ing two evolution functions for production and degradation rates. In addition, axial
extension quickly increases the length of a carotid artery and the rate of turnover of
cells and matrix, the turnover rates correlating with the stress magnitude. Numerical
simulations show that moderate (15%) increases in axial extension generate much
greater axial stress than circumferential stress augmentation induced by marked
(50%) rise in blood pressure [ 1510 ]. A 2D constrained mixture model based on
different constitutive relations shows that the turnover of cells and matrix in altered
configurations is effective in restoring nearly normal wall mechanics.