Arterial geometric abnormalities produce two-dimensional compliance disturbances

Purpose: This study describes the two-dimensional compliance changes that develop in low-grade hemodynamically insignificant stenoses. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. In 14 rats, balloon injury and endothelial denudation of the common carotid artery was followed by the application of a ligature, which produced a 20% narrowing of the outer diameter; five other rats were similarly injured without creating a stenosis, and five were stenosed without injury. The latter two groups served as control. Two-dimensional measures of arterial wall motions were obtained 30 minutes and 3 days after surgery by use of a video motion analyzer. Subsequently, circumferential (C c) and longitudinal (C l) compliance values were calculated and analyzed. Results: At 30 minutes, in the injured stenosed arteries, overall C c was significantly greater than in the nonstenosed injured arteries at all measured points along the artery. Both stenosed injured and stenosed noninjured arteries also displayed increased C c both proximal and distal to the stenoses compared with C c values furthest from the stenosis. C l values in the stenosed arteries, both injured and noninjured, became negative across the stenosis. All two-dimensional compliance changes occurred within the area of arterial narrowing and gradually resolved approaching the nonstenotic region of the artery. At systole, in the adjacent to the stenosis arterial segments, circumferential distension was accompanied by simultaneous longitudinal compression. Three days after surgery, although C c increased proximal and distal to the stenosis and C l decreased in the areas adjacent to the stenoses, no statistically significant difference was found. Conclusions: Low-grade stenosis results in a longitudinal compression accompanied by a relatively increased circumferential distension of arterial segments adjacent to the stenotic region. This pattern is not initiated or influenced by the presence or absence of endothelial cells. (J V ASC S URG 1994;20:795-802.)