Analysis of the effects of a non-circular two layer stress-free state on arterial wall stresses

Arterial wall stresses may play a role in the formation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. The residual stresses present in the unloaded state of arteries have been shown to affect the distribution of stresses in a homogeneous model of the artery wall. It is possible that differences between the mechanical behavior and residual stress states in the media and adventitia further affect the stress distribution. Predictions of the effects of different strain energy density functions and zero stress states in these two layers were made, based on the results of previously published studies. It was predicted that the circumferential stress at the inner wall was within 2% of the value at the outer wall in the loaded state. These results illustrate the importance of taking into account the mechanical properties and non-circular stress free states in the media and adventitia when analyzing arterial wall stresses.