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Implementation of a Large‐Scale Arterial System Model to Enhance Collaborative Research in Pulsatile Hemodynamics
Author(s) -
English Ryan C.,
Hanna Marina,
Mohiuddin Mohammad W.,
Quick Christopher M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1182.3
Subject(s) - pulsatile flow , computer science , scale (ratio) , multidisciplinary approach , graphical user interface , interface (matter) , rendering (computer graphics) , simulation , medicine , cardiology , artificial intelligence , physics , social science , bubble , quantum mechanics , maximum bubble pressure method , sociology , parallel computing , programming language
The large‐scale Westerhof model (1968) has become a standard research tool for investigating how changes in radii and compliances of systemic conductance arteries affect regional pulsatile blood pressures and flows. Its evaluation requires the simultaneous solution of a standard set of 121 second‐order partial differential equations, rendering this classical model only accessible to engineers with expertise in fluid dynamics. This tool, however, is invaluable for clinical investigators studying the manifestation of disease states in various patient populations and for physiologists studying the adaptation of arteries to local pressures and flows. We therefore developed an implementation of the Westerhof model that addresses the competing criteria of computational power, ease of use and customizability. To represent the anatomical arrangement of vessels, we employed Simulink, a powerful computational program with a graphical user interface. The parameters of each vessel can be altered independently, allowing the customizability necessary to simulate responses to localized diseases (e.g., aortic coarctation). Alternatively, sets of parameters can be selected to simulate patient populations (e.g., elderly). By making it possible for engineers, physiologists, clinical investigators, and even students to use the same tool, we aim to enhance both multidisciplinary collaboration and education.