Longitudinal and radial strain in pulse wave transmission

¹ Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington

Simultaneous measurements of changes in aortic length, circumference and pressure reveal that at the beginning of systole aortic lengthening precedes the increased aortic circumference and pressure. Slight differences which were observed between circumference and pressure may be accounted for by longitudinal motion and by instrumental artifacts. The concept of active rhythm contraction of the vessel walls is not regarded as necessary to explain any of the observed phase differences between aortic pressure and dimensions.