Elastodynamic analysis of the human aorta and the effect of biomechanical parameters on its behavior.

In this work, a finite element formulation for the analysis of the elastodynamic behavior of the human aorta is presented. In this formulation, a one-dimensional approach was adopted and a comprehensive computer program was written and employed in the mathematical analysis. All the necessary material and geometrical parameters were appropriately incorporated in the simulation. A comparison was made between the simplified elasticity theory and the one proposed in this study using the poroelasticity theory. The effects of certain parameters including the fluid density and the material permeability of the matrix on the behavior of the aortic tissue were investigated. According to these findings, the higher the density of the liquid in the tissue, the more delay will be observed in the resonance frequencies. It was also concluded that in the poroelasticity theory, the resonance frequencies occur at a later stage compared with the elasticity theory. The permeability of liquid into the pores and its damping effect are the two factors that contributed to the delay in the resonance. It was observed that at a frequency of 10 Hz, up to a permeability of about 10(-8) m(4)/N.s, the effect on the magnitude of the amplitude is negligible. However, from this threshold value up to a point at which the permeability is equal to 10(-5) m(4)/N.s, there is a corresponding increase in the amplitude.