Remodelling of the angular collagen fiber distribution in cardiovascular tissues

Understanding collagen fiber remodeling is desired to optimize the mechanical conditioning protocols in tissue-engineering of load-bearing cardiovascular structures. Mathematical models offer strong possibilities to gain insight into the mechanisms and mechanical stimuli involved in these remodeling processes. In this study, a framework is proposed to investigate remodeling of angular collagen fiber distribution in cardiovascular tissues. A structurally-based model for collagenous cardiovascular tissues is extended with remodeling laws for the collagen architecture, and the model is subsequently applied to the arterial wall and aortic valve. For the arterial wall, the model predicts the presence of two helically arranged families of collagen fibers. A branching, diverging hammock-type fiber architecture is predicted for the aortic valve. It is expected that the proposed model may be of great potential for the design of improved tissue engineering protocols and may give further insight into the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.