Vol. 30 No. 1 (2026)
VASCULAR SURGERY

Comparative assessment of radial distensibility and wall stiffness of the superficial femoral artery in healthy volunteers and patients after various types of its revascularization

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  • Alexander A. Gostev,
  • Olesia S. Osipova,
  • Irina I. Volkova,
  • Vladimir B. Starodubtsev,
  • Oleg V. Krestyaninov,
  • Andrey A. Karpenko
Alexander A. Gostev
Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Olesia S. Osipova
Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Irina I. Volkova
Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Vladimir B. Starodubtsev
Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Oleg V. Krestyaninov
Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Andrey A. Karpenko
Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russian Federation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21688/1681-3472-2026-1-67-77

Published 2026-04-14

Keywords

  • atherosclerosis; biomimetics; peripheral arterial disease; radial distensibility of the vascular wall; stiffness index; ultrasonography

How to Cite

Gostev, A. A. G., Osipova, O. S. ., Volkova, I. I. ., Starodubtsev, V. B. ., Krestyaninov, O. V. ., & Karpenko, A. A. . (2026). Comparative assessment of radial distensibility and wall stiffness of the superficial femoral artery in healthy volunteers and patients after various types of its revascularization. Patologiya Krovoobrashcheniya I Kardiokhirurgiya, 30(1), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.21688/1681-3472-2026-1-67-77

Copyright (c) 2026 Gostev et al.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Introduction. The study of the elastic properties of the arteries of the lower extremities is necessary for the development of methods for effective surgical treatment and the prediction of their complications.

Objective. The aim of our study was to compare the radial deformation properties (stiffness and radial extensibility of the vascular wall) of various segments of native arteries of the femoropopliteal segment and arteries after various reconstructive interventions under physiological conditions using ultrasound imaging.

Methods. A prospective cohort study (n = 40) was conducted. Four groups were formed: Group 1 (n = 10) – healthy volunteers; Group 2 – patients after semiclosed loop endarterectomy (n = 10); Group 3 – patients after endovascular recanalization of the superficial femoral artery using cut nitinol stents (n = 10); Group 4 – patients after endovascular recanalization of the superficial femoral artery using braided nitinol stents (n = 10). All participants underwent ultrasound measurement of the stiffness index and radial extensibility of the vascular wall at 5 points.

Results. Radial extensibility of the femoropopliteal artery wall in the supine position averages 10 %, with the exception of the Hunter’s canal region, where it is almost 4 times lower (2.8 %, p < 0.001). In the supine position, the deobliterated superficial femoral artery after loop endarterectomy in the adductor canal of the femur has a 2-fold higher (5.6 %) radial extensibility of the vascular wall compared to the native artery. The stented superficial femoral artery demonstrates a significant decrease in radial distensibility of the vessel wall in both positions (0.6–0.7 %).

Conclusion. Radial distensibility of the superficial femoral artery wall under physiological conditions is nonuniform, with the lowest distensibility observed in the Hunter’s canal. Semi-closed endarterectomy maintains acceptable arterial biomechanics, while stenting significantly increases wall stiffness, which may be one of the reasons for its unsatisfactory long-term results. The development of stents with properties similar to those of native arteries is necessary.

Received 22 October 2025. Revised 10 November 2025. Accepted 29 January 2026. 

Informed consent
The patient’s and healthy volunteers informed consents to use the records for medical purposes are obtained.

Funding 

The study was carried out with funding from the Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 23-75-10047).  

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Contribution of the authors

Conception and study design: all authors Data collection and analysis: A.A. Gostev, O.S. Osipova, I.I. Volkova, V.B. Starodubtsev Statistical analysis: A.A. Gostev, O.S. Osipova

Drafting the article: A.A. Gostev, O.S. Osipova, I.I. Volkova, V.B. Starodubtsev Critical revision of the article: O.V. Krestyaninov, A.A. Karpenko

Final approval of the version to be published: all authors

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