Chapter 11 – Toward a Mechanical Mapping of the Arterial Tree: Challenges and Potential Solutions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the main killer worldwide, despite major advances in healthcare and therapeutic measures. Much effort is invested in preventive care in order to improve health outcomes further. Vascular physiology modulation is a key element for early diagnosis and risk stratification. Our long-term objective is to facilitate identification of individuals at increased risk of CVD earlier in life. This would allow primary prevention, prior to the onset of clinical disease. We have documented an enhanced technique where we studied arterial stiffness, an independent predictor of CVD. Our method is able to detect functional changes prior to the onset of anatomical modification in youth. The aim of this work is to establish a longitudinal mechanical mapping of the arterial tree in healthy individuals. We report clinical data on the common carotid, abdominal aorta, and brachial arteries. These preliminary results will serve as a foundation for CVD research.