Development of a test protocol to study the biomechanical properties of iliac veins in comparison to the common iliac artery

Despite development of open and endovascular treatments of the iliac veins, there is no reported research on the biomechanical properties of human iliac veins. The specific requirements for devices and prosthesis for venous interventions are primarily empirical adaptations of devices developed for treating arteries. Although a lot of research has gone into developing devices, the receiving organ has not yet been studied in detail. Using the new methods and testing protocols described in this article we aim to investigate and determine the biomechanical properties of the common and external iliac veins in comparison to the common iliac artery, with the future goal of formulating a new mathematical model for the pelvic veins to facilitate <i>in silico</i> modeling. After consulting literature and experts in the field of biomechanics in search of suitable testing protocols, porcine samples were used to review, develop and confirm methods of conservation, biomechanical testing and histological investigation. Extension-inflation and planar biaxial extension testing for mechanical data, and histological and structural investigations were evaluated. The protocol is specifically tailored to the mechanical and structural investigation of human iliac veins and arteries, to allow comprehensive comparison of these vessels, for a better understanding and improvements in biomechanical modeling. Porcine tissue was used to show feasibility of the tests performed for ethical reasons and in anticipation of future research to evaluate the porcine model currently frequently used in endovascular research and training.