[Visco-elastic characteristics of the rat aorta].

In order to estimate wave propagation "in vitro", aortic compliance has been studied by means of rings and stripes from 6 adult male Wistar rats. Lengthening and shortening maneuvres have been performed; the pulse transmission rate was evaluated by calculating the elastic modulus during the maneuvres. A Norepinephrine infusion has been done. Results obtained show that transmission rate is higher in shortening than in lengthening phases. Norepinephrine did not significantly affect the values. The rate values were not greatly different whether "in vitro" or "in vivo". By increasing specimen stress, the rate too was increased, but the amount was lower than "in vivo" values. Hence it was assumable that rate variations "in vivo", should be partially influenced by elastic modulus, and a vegetative intervention should be implied.