Fig 1.
Two distinct experimental protocols employed in this study.
The two different protocols allow to investigate the residual deformations of carotid wall layers and to compare different RS releasing procedures. The adventitia (blue) and MI (yellow) layers were recorded within 22 hours after being radially cut. Black circles represent plastic cylinders used for specimen fixation.
Fig 2.
Layer separation and histological analysis.
The adventitia and media separation in a “turtleneck fashion” (A). The adventitia layer turned inside-out for removal of the remaining media (B). Histological examination of adventitia (C) and whole artery wall (D) showed some remaining portions of the media on the adventitia.
Fig 3.
Opening angle [°] for both MI and adventitia (A) layers, as well as for an intact ring I.
The intact ring is available for experimental protocol 1 only. The numerical values are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1.
The time course of changes of all the residual deformation parameters. The opening angle, curvature and length for intact artery (I), media-intima (MI) and adventitia (A) are given. For datasets where normal distribution was confirmed (significance level 0.05), mean ± SD are given, otherwise median and first and third quartile (Q1, Q3) are used.
Fig 4.
Curvature [mm−1] for both MI and adventitia (A) layers, as well as for an intact ring I.
Inner boundary (top), outer boundary (bottom); experimental protocol 1 is depicted on grey background. The numerical values are summarized in Table 1.
Fig 5.
Correlation between adventitia thickness percentage and the opening angle (left) and inner curvature (right).
The lower the adventitia percentage A%, the lower portion of media remains on the adventitia layer.
Fig 6.
Length [mm] of the specimens for both experimental protocols.
Inner boundary (top), outer boundary (bottom); experimental protocol 1 is on grey background. The numerical values are summarized in Table 1.
Fig 7.
Example of typical opening of segments glued pointwise at the outer surface to a plastic cylinder.
A, B: Intact wall – ring and after 16 hours; C, D: Adventitia and MI – 6 hours after separation, respectively; E, F: MI – ring and after 22 hours; G, H: Adventitia – ring and after 22 hours.