Modeling of arterial hemodynamics
Date
2009
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Accurate noninvasive measurement of the blood pressure waveforms throughout
the body is clinically desirable, but difficult to accomplish. We use a computational
model, based on a description of the architecture and mechanical properties of the arterial
network and blood, to predict dynamic pressure throughout the arterial vasculature.
Applanation tonometry was used to measure dynamic pressure noninvasively at the
carotid, radial, and femoral arteries under different hemodynamic conditions (baseline,
cold pressor test, and nitroglycerin). A pressure waveform from one recording site
served as input to the model. Model parameters were adjusted to obtain the best fit
between the pressures predicted at other locations and the pressures directly measured at
those locations. The site whose pressure was used as the input was altered, and the
ability to accurately predict pressures at the other sites was compared.
In twenty one healthy subjects, the femoral and radial artery pressures have allowed most
accurate prediction of pressures elsewhere. Vascular stiffness, resistance, and the
dependence of stiffness on arterial diameter were estimated from the fitted model
parameters. The model provides insight into the effects of physiological and
pharmacological stimulation on arterial vascular properties in vivo. The model also
provides a noninvasive estimate of central aortic pressure, which is valuable for
understanding ventricular-vascular coupling in health and disease.