Initiation of aneurysms as a mechanical bifurcation phenomenon

Recent studies on localized bulging in inflated membrane tubes have shown that the initiation pressure for the onset of localization is determined through a bifurcation condition. This kind of localization has also been shown to be much more sensitive to geometrical and material imperfections than classical sub-critical bifurcation into periodic patterns. We use these results to show that the initial formation of aneurysms in human arteries may also be modeled as a bifurcation phenomenon. This bifurcation interpretation could provide a theoretical framework under which different mechanisms leading to, or reducing the risk of, aneurysm formation can be assessed in a systematic manner. In particular, this could potentially help in assessing the integrity of aneurysm repairs. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.