Mechanics of Fresh, Refrigerated, and Frozen Arterial Tissue

Arterial grafts and experimental soft tissues are commonly preserved using refrigeration and freezing. The present study was designed to investigate effects of common storage protocols on arterial mechanics. Porcine aortas were axially distracted to failure implementing fresh, refrigerated, and frozen storage conditions. Fresh tissues were tested within 24 h of sacrifice; refrigerated tissues were stored at +4°C for 24 or 48 h prior to testing, and frozen tissues were stored at −20 or −80°C for 3 months prior to testing. Blunt arterial injury experimentally occurred in distraction with intimal subfailure before ultimate failure in 82% of specimens. Subfailure stress decreased in refrigerated (0.59 ± 0.19 MPa) compared to fresh (0.83 ± 0.39 MPa) and frozen (0.99 ± 0.41 MPa) specimens. Ultimate stress was also significantly decreased in refrigerated (0.83 ± 0.19 MPa) compared to fresh (1.15 ± 0.39 MPa) and frozen (1.32 ± 0.31 MPa) specimens. Subfailure and ultimate strain were not significantly dependent upon storage technique. Young’s modulus significantly decreased in refrigerated (1.89 ± 0.63 MPa) compared to fresh (2.98 ± 1.45 MPa) and frozen (3.49 ± 1.32 MPa) specimens. Physiological, subfailure, and ultimate failure mechanics between fresh and frozen specimens were not significantly different. Clinically relevant intimal failures can be reproduced and injury mechanics determined while adhering to experimental protocols of freezing specimens before testing. However, short-term tissue refrigeration may affect mechanics.