Aortic Wall Thickness - Radius Ratio in Living Dogs

Abstract

Wall thickness-radius ratio measurements on the descending thoracic aorta of living dogs have been made using angiographic techniques. Results from preliminary experiments designed to prove the feasibility of the technique indicate that this ratio is in the vicinity of 0.125, whereas previous in vitro measurements have indicated a ratio of 0.10. Simultaneous pressure recordings have indicated that the change in wall thickness with pressure over the normal physiological range is negligible. The implication of these results on the theoretical relationships used in modelling are discussed briefly and it is concluded that the descending thoracic aorta can be considered as a thin-walled vessel.