Popis: |
Aims: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of flow mediated dilatation on arterial incremental elasticity (Einc). Methods: In four female anaesthetized pigs, the iliac artery and vein were connected by a shunt with a variable resistance which allowed blood flow and therefore shear stress to be regulated. Einc was calculated from simultaneous records of diameter and pressure throughout a minimum of four cardiac cycles. Results: Passive increases in diameter (∼1–2%) throughout a cardiac cycle, brought about by pressure, resulted in a two- to threefold increase in Einc. In contrast, increases in shear stress caused active smooth muscle relaxation and a significant increase in diameter from 3.663 ± 0.215 mm to 4.488 ± 0.163 mm (mean ± SEM, P |