THEORETICAL-STUDY OF DYNAMICS OF ARTERIAL-WALL REMODELING IN RESPONSETO CHANGES IN BLOOD-PRESSURE

The dynamics of arterial wall remodeling was studied on the basis of a phenomenological mathematical model. Sustained hypertension was simul ated by a step increase in blood pressure. Remodeling rate equations w ere postulated for the evolution of the geometrical dimensions that ch aracterize the zero stress state of the artery. The driving stimuli ar e the deviations of the extreme values of the circumferential stretch ratios and the average stress from their values at the normotensive st ate. Arterial wall was considered to be a thick-walled tube made of no nlinear elastic incompressible material. Results showed that thickness increases monotonically with time whereas the opening angle exhibits a biphasic pattern. Geometric characteristics reach asymptotically a n ew homeostatic steady state, in which the stress and strain distributi on is practically identical with the distribution under normotensive c onditions. The model predictions are in good agreement with published experimental findings.