Loss of elastic fiber integrity compromises common carotid artery function: Implications for vascular aging

Competent elastic fibers endow central arteries with the compliance and resilience that are fundamental to their primary mechanical function in vertebrates. That is, by enabling elastic energy to be stored in the arterial wall during systole and then to be used to work on the blood during diastole, elastic fibers decrease ventricular workload and augment blood flow in pulsatile systems. Indeed, because elastic fibers are formed during development and stretched during somatic growth, their continual tendency to recoil contributes to the undulation of the stiffer collagen fibers, which facilitates further the overall compliance of the wall under physiologic pressures while allowing the collagen to limit over-distension during acute increases in blood pressure.

Source: Artery Research - April 19, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: J. Ferruzzi, M.R. Bersi, R.P. Mecham, F. Ramirez, H. Yanagisawa, G. Tellides, J.D. Humphrey Source Type: research