Simulation of normal cardiovascular system and severe aortic valve stenosis using equivalent electronic model

Abstract

In this study, we have designed an analog circuit model of the cardiovascular system that is able to simulate normal condition and cardiovascular diseases, such as mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, and hypertension. Especially we focused on severe aortic stenosis, because it is one of the causes of sudden death in asymptomatic patients. In this study, we aim to investigate the simulation of the cardiovascular system using an electronic circuit model under normal and especially severe aortic valve stenosis conditions. The Westkessel model including RLC pi-segments is chosen in order to simulate both systemic and pulmonary circulation. The left and right heart is represented by trapezoidal shape stiffnesses. Aortic capacitance and aortic valve characteristics are chosen nonlinear. Severe aortic stenosis is implemented by changing the value of the serial resistance to the aortic valve. MATLAB software program is used for the model implementation. The results for normal conditions of the given electrical model are similar to the normal cardiovascular physiology. As a result of simulation, a remarkable increase of the left ventricle systolic blood pressure and aortic mean pressure gradient, and decrease of aortic systolic blood pressure are observed in severe aortic valve stenosis. In conclusion, our model is effective and available for simulating normal cardiac conditions and cardiovascular diseases, especially severe aortic stenosis.