Logo

American Heart Association

  135
  0


Final ID: Th0078

Peripheral Artery Calcification Disrupts Lower Extremity Biomechanics In a Swine Model

Abstract Body: Limb flexion imposes severe deformations on lower extremity arteries, altering blood flow and contributing to the progression of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and treatment failure. While arterial calcification is associated with poor clinical outcomes and an elevated risk of amputation, its biomechanical effects remain poorly understood. Using a swine model of advanced arterial calcification, we investigated the impact of arterial calcium on limb flexion-induced biomechanics while controlling for confounding variables. Calcification was induced by delivering CaCl2 into the media and periadventitial spaces of the iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries via a micro-needle catheter. This approach produced robust calcific lesions (Figure 1), clearly visible on computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound within 30 days, and closely mimicking human calcification in morphology, mechanics, and histology. Experimental (n=6) and control (n=27) animals were imaged with their limbs in straight and flexed positions (Figure 2). Reconstructed 3D arterial geometries revealed significant differences in diameters, foreshortening, tortuosity, and angulation between calcified and non-calcified arteries. Calcified arteries exhibited 15% larger diameters (7.1 vs. 6.2 mm, p=0.048) and accommodated 41% less foreshortening during flexion (1.29 vs. 1.49, p<0.01), resulting in increased tortuosity and sharper bends. Tortuosity increased by 61% in the external iliac artery (0.06 vs. 0.04), 49% in the superficial femoral artery (SFA, 0.20 vs 0.13), and 19% in the popliteal artery (PA, 0.36 vs. 0.30) (all p<0.01). Bending severity, assessed via inscribed sphere measurements and angles, was 52% greater at the inguinal ligament (11.4 vs 23.8 mm), 43% greater in the SFA (16.9 vs 29.7 mm), and 59% greater in the PA (5.9 vs 14.1 mm) (all p<0.01) in animals with calcific lesions. This porcine model replicates critical features of calcific human PAD in a rigorously controlled environment, enabling detailed biomechanical analysis. Furthermore, it provides a robust platform to evaluate the impacts and mechanisms of calcium-modifying treatments, offering valuable insights for improving therapeutic strategies. Our findings demonstrate that arterial calcification significantly impairs the ability of arteries to accommodate limb flexion, exacerbates bending and tortuosity, and likely contributes to impaired blood flow, PAD progression, and treatment failure.
  • Batista De Oliveira, Barbara  ( UNMC , Omaha , Nebraska , United States )
  • Mactaggart, Jason  ( University of Nebraska Medical Cent , Omaha , Nebraska , United States )
  • Kamenskiy, Alexey  ( University of Nebraska Omaha , Omaha , Nebraska , United States )
  • Author Disclosures:
    Barbara Batista de Oliveira: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Jason MacTaggart: No Answer | Alexey Kamenskiy: No Answer
Meeting Info:
Session Info:

08. Poster Session 2 & Reception Sponsored by the ATVB Journal

Wednesday, 04/23/2025 , 05:00PM - 07:00PM

Poster

More abstracts on this topic:
A Novel Role for ANPEP in Osteogenic Signaling and Aortic Valve Calcification

Fan Jianing, Chen Qixin, Miao Jiaxin, Li Zhenzhen, Zhou Daxin, Ge Junbo

Analysis of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Vascular Occlusion Test as a Complement to Ankle-Brachial Index and 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients Diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease

Rodriguez Cesar, Lanka Santh Prakash, Maraj Joshua, Alsabbagh Yaman, Farres Sam, Ade Carl, Liu Xiuwen, Delp Judy

More abstracts from these authors:
Racial Differences in lower limb calcification

Kamenskiy Alexey, Jinnouchi Hiroyuki, Arya Shipra

Endovascular Elastolytic Cocktail Delivery to Create Preclinical Porcine Aortic Aneurysm Model

Jadidi Majid, Batista De Oliveira Barbara, Heinis Frazer, Kargarbahrkhazar Bahman, Foster Emma, Farmani Sanaz, Kinsella Nicholas, Bade Aditya, Mactaggart Jason

You have to be authorized to contact abstract author. Please, Login
Not Available