Fig. 4.

Optimal biaxial configuration of aortic segments prior to KCl stimulation. Circumferential (a) and axial stretches (b) were higher in biaxial testing protocols (biax isom, biax isom-isob) compared to uniaxial testing (uniax isom). Axial stretches in biaxial testing were larger in IAA segments compared to DTA segments, suggesting regionally distinct optimal biaxial configurations for achieving maximal smooth muscle contractility. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. (*) p < 0.05, (**) p < 0.01, (***) p < 0.001 denote differences between testing protocols. (#) p < 0.05, (##) p < 0.01, (###) p < 0.001 denote differences between aortic regions.