ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on those investigative methods that belong in the laboratory rather than in the clinic. It presents the experimental methods for solids and fluids that exist in the context of cardiovascular mechanics, before discussing animal models. In addition, experimental measurements on in vitro models are of primary importance for the validation of clinical parameters used in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and in the development of cardiovascular medical devices. At the tissue level, quantification of the biomechanical behavior falls under the umbrella of material characterization and needs to adhere to strict requirements from continuum mechanics. Proper storage of cardiovascular soft tissues is of practical concern if the tissues are harvested relatively far away from the location of testing and/or if availability of the testing equipment is limited. Soft tissues are best kept moist or immersed at all times during testing, so as not to affect their high water content and artificially alter their properties.
