The aims of this chapter are to review the current state of knowledge regarding the viscoelastic behavior of cardiovascular tissues. We begin with a brief, general discussion of measurement and modeling of cardiovascular tissue viscoelasticity. We then review known viscoelastic behavior of arteries, veins, capillaries, blood components, the heart, and lymphatics. For each tissue type, we highlight tissue-specific measurement methods, the cellular and extracellular components responsible for tissue viscoelasticity, and the clinical implications of energy loss due to viscoelasticity. We conclude with a summary and suggestions for future research.
Part of the book: Viscoelastic and Viscoplastic Materials