A method to determine the radial compliance of porcine coronary arteries ex vivo via optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) as imaging method is widely used in ophthalmology, oncology and cardiology. For intravascular imaging the OCT is used for pre-interventional as well as post-procedural assessments. Within the current study a test setup for ex vivo determination of the compliance of porcine coronary arteries via OCT is described. Diameter measurements based on OCT imaging were performed during consecutive pressurization of a porcine coronary artery from 40 to 200 mmHg in a physiological environment. The test results indicate that the radial compliance depends on the specific segment of the artery as well as the pressure range considered. The revealed compliance data can be used for numerical simulations of the vascular tissue as well as for optimization of in vitro test setups for pulsatile testing of vascular implants.

Keywords

• radial compliance
• optical coherence tomography
• oct
• coronary artery
• ex vivo